The 76ers yesterday unveiled their new mascot, Franklin, a dog who “made his public debut in style by rappelling from the top of the rotunda in the Franklin Institute, high above the statute of Ben Franklin,” according to John George of the PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL. The new mascot will "make his in-game debut on Feb. 20" for Pacers-Sixers, and kids in attendance will "get a free Franklin Jersey with a paw print on the back." The 76ers have been "without a mascot for four seasons following the demise of Hip-Hop, an acrobatic rabbit." Hip-Hop was the "successor to Big Shot, a big blue Phanatic-like mascot who was retired when the Sixers moved from the Spectrum to what is now the Wells Fargo Center" in '96. 76ers Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer Tim McDermott said that the team "met with more 1,000 area children to get the suggestions for a new mascot." The team said that more than 40 designs "were reviewed" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/10). In Philadelphia, Michael Kaskey-Blomain wrote the "fluffy dog, complete with a paw print for a number" is "advertised as ‘for kids, by kids.'" Franklin at the event was "joined by fellow Philadelphia mascot, the Phillie Phanatic" (PHILLY.com, 2/10).
