Blades, Bands, and Ballers: How "Flash and Cash" Rescued the Flyers and Created Philadelphia's Greatest Showplace

by Lou Scheinfeld

Overview

Imagine Philadelphia without its beloved Flyers and Spectrum. It almost happened! Until Lou Scheinfeld and Ed Snider, otherwise known as "Flash and Cash," came together to help save the city from disaster.

Blades, Bands, and Ballers is Lou Scheinfeld's heartfelt memoir of an America now gone, a world of local spectacle and national pride. Dubbed "America's Showplace" between its birth in 1967 and much-lamented death in 2009, the Spectrum has one last story to tell: how it came to be, how it really was, and how it ended.

Lou Scheinfeld is the one man standing capable of telling inside stories of Ed Snider and his blood feud with Jerry Wolman, Frank Rizzo and the Rolling Stones, Kate Smith and her Broad Street Bullies, Sinatra and the Philly Mob, Dr. J and the 76ers, Electric Factory's emergence, Elvis' sad appearance, Joe Frazier's lament and more. It's a true story of a time gone by.

Witness a retelling of once-in-a-lifetime moments of the rollicking 1960s and '70s from the man who was there through it all and helped lift the spirits of millions in this must-have book.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940185676844
Publisher:	Camino Books, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/02/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Lou Scheinfeld is a nationally known sports and entertainment executive with a successful background in managing and marketing public facilities and sports franchises. He is currently CEO and president of the newly created The Museum of Sports.

He grew up in a candy store in Brewerytown and attended Central High School and Temple University School of Journalism where he was the Editor of the Temple News. After leaving Temple in 1957 to support his family, Lou became City Hall reporter and later City Editor at the Philadelphia Daily News. In 1966 Lou took a chance and joined Ed Snider in establishing a new sports arena in South Philadelphia that eventually became The Spectrum, home of the 76ers and Flyers. Scheinfeld spent nearly 15 years as an executive of the Spectrum, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Philadelphia-area cable network, Prism, before joining the 76ers as chief executive officer in January 1980.

Scheinfeld was responsible for conceiving the names for the Spectrum, Prism, Spectacor, Kixx soccer team and was instrumental in naming the Flyers. In a memorable moment of inspiration, he initiated the pregame Kate Smith-Flyers “God Bless America” legend that resonated with sports fans all over the country. Ed Snider once said “Lou is the most creative person I’ve ever known.” For over 50 years he was a close friend and advisor to the late Comcast Chairman.

As the founding Vice-President of the Flyers hockey franchise and President of the Spectrum, Scheinfeld is credited with fathering innovative sports marketing concepts and establishing the Flyers and Spectrum as North American brands. He recently oversaw the closing and assets sale of the Spectrum plus the implementation of new corporate projects, including Xfinity Live!

Scheinfeld’s latest endeavor: spearheading the Museum of Sports, a ‘Philly flavored’ national destination which is to be located in the heart of the South Philadelphia sports complex. “I’ve been doing it pro bono for 7 years”, Scheinfeld said, “It’s both a natural fit for Philadelphia and a labor of love.”

Editorial Reviews

"They don't make buildings like this anymore."

Bruce Springsteen

"The brains behind the throne. The best inside man in sports."

Philadelphia Magazine - Maury Levy