Ed Snider - A Flyer Forever: 1933-2016

Today, we are deeply saddened to share that we have lost a member of the Comcast family. Ed Snider, Comcast Spectacor Chairman and Founder of the Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League team, has passed away at the age of 83 from complications related to his battle with cancer.

"This is a very sad day for Ed’s family, the Flyers, Comcast Spectacor and his many fans in Philadelphia," said Brian Roberts, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Corporation. "Our business partnership lasted more than 20 years, which seemed improbable at the time, and ultimately transcended into a cherished and special friendship. We are so sad but relish the many accomplishments Ed achieved during his amazing lifetime. He was completely unique, incredibly passionate and will be terribly missed."

Ed was an icon – an entrepreneur, a passionate philanthropist, a risk-taker, and a true visionary in the sports and entertainment industry.  He was widely respected and admired for his passion and  leadership and was a catalyst for establishing Philadelphia as a premier sports town, beginning in 1966, when he brought an NHL franchise to the city and became the Founder of the Philadelphia Flyers.  The team soon became the first NHL expansion team to win the Stanley Cup in 1974, repeating the achievement again in 1975.

Ed’s passion was hockey, but his vision took his career into new areas.  In 1972, he purchased The Spectrum, Philadelphia’s iconic arena and home to the Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers, which led him to create a new venue management industry founded on the arena’s success.  He also started PRISM – one of the country’s first 24/7 regional sports networks – that ultimately led Comcast to create the eight Comcast SportsNets we have across the country today. In 1996, he and his team joined the Comcast family and renamed the company Comcast Spectacor.  The sports complex was expanded that year with the opening of the CoreStates Center (now called Wells Fargo Center), and Ed further diversified Comcast Spectacor’s businesses, expanding into food and hospitality services in 2000 and into automated ticketing in 2003.

"Ed Snider was and will always be the heart and soul of our company," said Dave Scott, Comcast Spectacor President and CEO.  "His entrepreneurial spirit was the foundation for many contributions to the sport of hockey and to the sports and entertainment industry in general. He will be forever remembered for his loyalty and his impact will endure forever in the hearts of countless Flyers players, coaches, and team and company employees, past and present.  In addition, Ed was a generous philanthropist who cared for people in ways the public never saw. His enduring legacy through the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation will live on in generations of young people who will learn about his values of integrity and hard work. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Lin, his children and grandchildren."

Paul Holmgren, President of the Philadelphia Flyers, said "Today, the Philadelphia Flyers, the city of Philadelphia and the National Hockey League have lost a true icon. Mr. Snider is the face of the Flyers franchise. He is revered and loved by all of his current and former players and has the utmost respect of the entire hockey world. Mr. Snider’s passion and drive to be the best has made the Flyers brand one of the most recognizable in all of sports. His desire to always have the best team possible for this city and for our fans is a true testament to his passion for the Flyers and his will to win. On this sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Snider’s wife, Lin; his children -- Craig, Jay, Lindy, Tina, Serena and Sam; as well as all of his grandchildren. Mr. Snider will be truly missed by all of us but his spirit along with the culture he created and instilled will live on with the Flyers organization forever."

While Ed was a generous philanthropist touching many people in need, his true legacy will be the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. Thanks to his compassion and desire to help Philadelphia’s youth, more than 3,000 children learn the values of hard work and integrity after school, allowing students opportunities they may not otherwise have.

Ed is survived by his wife, Lin, six children and 15 grandchildren.  We extend our deepest sympathies to Ed’s entire family, the Philadelphia Flyers and the entire team at Comcast Spectacor. 

The Snider family will host a private service for the family. There will be a public Remembrance Ceremony at the Wells Fargo Center in the near future to celebrate Ed’s incredible life.

To read more on Ed’s remarkable life, please visit: www.philadelphiaflyers.com or www.comcastspectacor.com.