Sixers pick Ticketmaster as new ticketing partner, signaling shift away from StubHub
Also, the team waived forward Rayjon Tucker and signed Charlotte sharpshooter Grant Riller to a two-way deal.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/UIANJLFWH5HGTBZNBDC4R32ZC4.jpg)
The 76ers announced Ticketmaster as their new official ticketing partner on Wednesday morning.
The deal, which signals a move away from Stubhub, also includes the G-league affiliate, Delaware Blue Coats. A big factor for the Sixers in the change is an effort to make the ticket market more easily accessible. With Ticketmaster, fans will be able to buy, sell, transfer, and access tickets.
“Ticketmaster has a reputation for being a leader in innovation and providing a best-in-class experience,” Sixers president of business operations Chris Heck said. “We are thrilled to partner with a brand that puts fans first and whose products will enhance the ticketing experience for our 76ers fans.”
Ticketmaster is also hoping to add to the fan experience with promotions that include seat upgrades and contests.
The full 2021-22 Sixers schedule release is expected later this week. Tickets will be made available soon afterward.
Rayjon Tucker out, Grant Riller in
The Sixers waived forward Rayjon Tucker on Wednesday morning. He appeared in 14 games last season and averaged 2.4 points.
Tucker signed a two-way contract with the Sixers a week ago. His first two-way deal with the Sixers was on Jan. 22. He averaged 19 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in 15 games with the Sixers’ NBA G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.
» READ MORE: Rayjon Tucker looks to keep chipping away at opportunities with the Sixers | Off the Dribble
The Sixers are replacing one 6-foot-3 guard with another.
A report indicated that Grant Riller will fill Tucker’s former two-way spot. Riller was a prospect some draft pundits thought could be an impactful NBA player. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets in the second round of the 2020 draft and averaged 2.6 points in seven NBA games.
Riller averaged 13.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 11 games with the G-League Greensboro Swarm. Shooting became one of his best attributes. In college at a College of Charleston, Riller shot 36.2% from three his senior year. Those numbers jumped to 46.7% on 4.7 three-point attempts per game with the Swarm.
Sixers don’t get much love in national TV release
A No. 1 seed wasn’t good enough to get the Sixers a Christmas Day game. It’s the second consecutive season Philly wasn’t included.
Of the East teams competing on the marquee stage, the Boston Celtics are likely the franchise that edged out the Sixers. The New York Knicks are a big draw when they’re good, and the Atlanta Hawks beat them and the Sixers in the playoffs. Boston will play the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks after losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Granted, Boston is a storied franchise and battled injuries last season, but can’t the same be said for the Sixers?
While they won’t play on Christmas, the Sixers were included on the NBA’s opening week national TV schedule. The season will tip off on Oct. 19 and the Sixers will host the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 22 in an ESPN game. Once again, a bit of a slight to the Sixers.
The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Nets are the only teams featured twice during opening week.
The prospects of the Sixers entering opening week post-Ben Simmons trade with a new-look lineup seemed like good selling points, but the league didn’t think so.