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The Philadelphia Phantoms and KiXX have championship banners hanging from the Wachovia Spectrum rafters. When Comcast-Spectacor closes the arena doors for the final time next fall, the players and their championship flags will need to find a new home.
The KiXX, who won Major Indoor Soccer League crowns in 2002 and ’07, could be heading up North Broad Street to play home games at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.
"We took a look at all the venues — the Wachovia Center, the Palestra, the Pavilion [on Villanova’s campus]. The Liacouras Center is a state-of-the-art venue with great seats," Darcee Roberts, KiXX vice president of external operations, said. "The area is great for community growth, with 12,000 students that live on Temple’s campus, and reaching out to both current students and alumni. The focus is on providing affordable family entertainment and tapping into new markets."
Roberts noted the team, which isn’t owned by Comcast-Spectacor, hopes to have the decision finalized by early next year.
The Phantoms’ search for a new home is a little more up in the air as they need a venue with ice, thus eliminating the Liacouras Center. Comcast-Spectacor President/COO Peter Luukko told the Review it would be great to keep the Phantoms, who won the Calder Cup in 1998 and ’05, close to Philadelphia and the organization hopes to reach a conclusion for the American Hockey League squad soon.
"We’ve really established a tremendous fan base here in Philadelphia, so we obviously would like to keep them close," Luukko said. "As the parent club, we’re also very fortunate that we can bring up players [to the Flyers] or keep an eye on our up-and-coming stars right in our own backyard. We’re looking at the situation and trying to find the best one for all involved."
