The Philadelphia 76ers history spans decades as one of the NBA’s founding franchises, beginning as the Syracuse Nationals before moving to Philadelphia. Throughout this time, Philadelphia 76ers basketball has featured legendary players, thrilling fans with championships, playoff runs, and iconic moments that have shaped the team’s reputation as a powerhouse in the league.
Established
1946
City
Syracuse – Philadelphia
League History
1946 – Present / National Basketball Association
1946 – 1949 / National Basketball League
Team History
1963 – Present / Philadelphia 76ers
1946 – 1963 / Syracuse Nationals
Nickname
76ers – The Philadelphia 76ers have one of the most storied histories in NBA history, and their nickname is no different. The name “76ers” dates back to 1776, when Philadelphia was a key player in America’s fight for independence. It also pays homage to a critical moment in American history – the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.
Philadelphia 76ers Origin
The team chose this name to honor its city's historical role and show pride for its hometown heroes who fought so hard during that period. The number "7" was chosen because it represented unity among all 13 colonies, while "6" stood for each colony's commitment towards freedom from British rule, thus creating what we now know as “the 76ers".
Since then, the team has embraced its unique moniker with enthusiasm over decades by consistently using imagery related to that era, such as banners featuring Betsy Ross' iconic flag design or wearing jerseys with colonial-style lettering on them during games against rivals like New York Knicks or Boston Celtics (both teams have nicknames derived from historical events). This tradition continues today even though much about basketball has changed since those early days!
Championship
NBA Championships 2
1983, 1967, 1955
Arena
1996 – Present / Wells Fargo Center
1967 – 1995 / The Spectrum
1963 – 1967 / Convention Hall & Philadelphia Arena
*Syracuse*
1951 – 1963 / Onondaga War Memorial
1946 – 1951 / State Fair Coliseum
Owner
2012 – Present / Joshua Harris
1996 – 2011 / Comcast Spectacor
1981 – 1996 / Harold Katz
1976 – 1981 / Fitz Eugene Dixon, Jr.
1963 – 1976 / Irv Kosloff
1946 – 1963 / Daniel Biasone
- 1963
- 1967
- 1982
- 1983
- 2009
- 2011
-
Move to Philadelphia
The playoff overtime loss on March 26, 1963, would prove to be the last game for the Syracuse Nationals, as investors Irv Kosloff and Ike Richman purchased the team from Danny Biasone moving the team to Philadelphia to become the 76ers, filling the void left by the Warriors. Syracuse was the last of the medium-sized cities housing an NBA Team, ... -
NBA Finals Winner 1967
NBA Finals – 1967 The 1967 NBA World Championship Series was the championship series of the 1966 – 1967 National Basketball Association season and was the conclusion of the 1967 NBA Playoffs. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Conference champion San Francisco Warriors and the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers. This was the first championship series in 11 ... -
“The Spectrum” Opens
In the 1967 – 1968 season, with a new home court in the form of The Spectrum to defend their championship, once again the 76ers made it back to the NBA Playoffs and in the rematch of the previous year’s semifinals, the 76ers held a 3-1 series lead over the Celtics, before the Celtics staged a dramatic comeback to beat ... -
NBA Finals Winner 1983
NBA Finals – 1983 The 1983 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association’s 1982 – 1983 season. This was the final postseason using the 12-team format before the NBA expanded the postseason to 16 teams the next season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia 76ers defeating the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers ... -
Move into Wells Fargo Center
It was also during the season that the Sixers played one home game at their old home, the Wachovia Spectrum. The Sixers won 104–101 over the Chicago Bulls on March 13, 2009. The game was played to provide the final curtain call on the Spectrum, which was scheduled to be imploded on New Year’s Eve 2009. The Wells Fargo Center ... -
New Ownership: Joshua Harris
On July 13, 2011, Comcast-Spectacor reached an agreement to sell the 76ers to an investment group led by Apollo Global Management co-founder Joshua Harris. Harris’ group paid $280 million for the franchise. The sale did not include any ownership stake in the Flyers or Comcast Sportsnet. The Sixers will continue to play their home games at the Wells Fargo Center ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Philadelphia 76ers History
The Philadelphia 76ers history began in 1946 when the franchise joined the Basketball Association of America as the Syracuse Nationals. The team relocated to Philadelphia in 1963 and was renamed the “76ers” in honor of the city’s rich Revolutionary heritage. From the beginning, Philadelphia 76ers basketball established itself as a powerful force in the league.
During the Nationals era, the franchise won its first championship in 1955. After moving to Philadelphia, the Philadelphia 76ers history reached new heights. Led by Wilt Chamberlain, the 76ers captured the 1967 NBA championship with one of the most dominant seasons in league history. This success cemented Philadelphia 76ers basketball as a premier brand in professional sports.
The 76ers added another championship in 1983 behind Julius “Dr. J” Erving and Moses Malone, who famously predicted “Fo’ Fo’ Fo’” before sweeping through the playoffs. The team also reached multiple Eastern Conference Finals during the late 1970s and early 1980s, establishing a winning tradition that became synonymous with Philadelphia 76ers basketball.
Philadelphia 76ers Achievements
In the 2000–01 season, Allen Iverson’s MVP campaign led the Sixers back to the NBA Finals, giving the franchise another iconic era in the Philadelphia 76ers history. Although they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, Iverson’s leadership cemented his place among the franchise’s greats. Over time, the team has also been home to legends like Charles Barkley, Billy Cunningham, and Hal Greer.
The Philadelphia 76ers history includes three NBA championships (1955, 1967, 1983), nine conference titles, and 12 division titles. The franchise has also made 10 NBA Finals appearances and produced multiple MVPs, including Wilt Chamberlain, Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Allen Iverson.
Today, Philadelphia 76ers basketball is driven by superstar Joel Embiid, surrounded by a talented roster aiming for another championship. With a blend of historic greatness and a bright future, the team remains one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises, carrying its legacy into a new era of success.
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Allen Iverson, Dr. J & More! The 76ers’ 8 Greatest Players of All Time
Dive into the legacy of the Philadelphia 76ers as we explore their storied history, iconic players, and the passionate culture that defines Sixers Nation. From the unforgettable moments of NBA history to the legendary figures who have donned the red, white, and blue...
Retired Number
2 / Moses Malone
3 / Allen Iverson
4 / Dolph Schayes
6 / Julius Erving
10 / Maurice Cheeks
13 / Wilt Chamberlain
15 / Hal Greer
24 / Bobby Jones
32 / Billy Cunningham
34 / Charles Barkley
– / Dave Zinkoff
*Blue is this team’s history
