History
The Snider Foundation and its philanthropic efforts are a direct result of the vision, work and generosity of Philadelphia's Ed Snider.
Mr. Snider's emergence as a leader in the Philadelphia sports market began in 1966 when he brought a National Hockey League franchise to the city as the founder of the Philadelphia Flyers. He became the driving force behind the construction of the Spectrum and assumed control of the building in 1971. In 1974, Mr. Snider created Spectacor as the management company to oversee the Flyers and Spectrum.
Over the next 20 years, Spectacor experienced unprecedented growth, earning national acclaim for its impact in the sports and entertainment business. Under Mr. Snider's guidance, Spectacor developed and acquired nearly a dozen related companies.
ln 1996, Mr. Snider merged Spectacor with the Comcast Corporation to form Comcast Spectacor. The new venture initially consisted of the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Wells Fargo Center, the Spectrum and the Philadelphia Phantoms. Comcast Spectacor then joined with the Philadelphia Phillies to form Comcast SportsNet, one of the highest-rated regional sports cable networks in the country.
Mr. Snider's emergence as a leader in the Philadelphia sports market began in 1966 when he brought a National Hockey League franchise to the city as the founder of the Philadelphia Flyers. He became the driving force behind the construction of the Spectrum and assumed control of the building in 1971. In 1974, Mr. Snider created Spectacor as the management company to oversee the Flyers and Spectrum.
Over the next 20 years, Spectacor experienced unprecedented growth, earning national acclaim for its impact in the sports and entertainment business. Under Mr. Snider's guidance, Spectacor developed and acquired nearly a dozen related companies.
ln 1996, Mr. Snider merged Spectacor with the Comcast Corporation to form Comcast Spectacor. The new venture initially consisted of the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia 76ers, Wells Fargo Center, the Spectrum and the Philadelphia Phantoms. Comcast Spectacor then joined with the Philadelphia Phillies to form Comcast SportsNet, one of the highest-rated regional sports cable networks in the country.
One of Mr. Snider's proudest accomplishments is the creation of Snider Hockey, which provides underserved children from urban neighborhoods in Philadelphia and Camden with the opportunity to learn to play ice hockey. The program features comprehensive educational services that are specifically designed to keep boys and girls on track for on-time graduation. Hockey is simply the hook that is used to gain and hold the attention of these youngsters so that greater life lessons can be imparted. All services, including equipment and travel, are delivered at no cost to city residents.
Snider Hockey now funds and administers programming for more than 3,000 youngsters at nine inner-city sites.
The Philadelphia Business Journal named Ed Snider "Philanthropist of the Year" in April 2015, in recognition of the work of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
Following his passing in 2016, Mr. Snider's family is continuing his legacy of giving, in part through the work of The Snider Foundation. Since 1977, The Snider Foundation has granted more than $40 million in philanthropic gifts, including a gift of $5 million in 2014 to Mr. Snider's alma mater, the University of Maryland, to create the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets.
Mr. Snider was an icon – an entrepreneur, a passionate philanthropist, a risk-taker for the greater good, and a true visionary in the sports and entertainment industry. Mr. Snider's philanthropic generosity continues to benefit numerous organizations and agencies throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region and the world.
Snider Hockey now funds and administers programming for more than 3,000 youngsters at nine inner-city sites.
The Philadelphia Business Journal named Ed Snider "Philanthropist of the Year" in April 2015, in recognition of the work of the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.
Following his passing in 2016, Mr. Snider's family is continuing his legacy of giving, in part through the work of The Snider Foundation. Since 1977, The Snider Foundation has granted more than $40 million in philanthropic gifts, including a gift of $5 million in 2014 to Mr. Snider's alma mater, the University of Maryland, to create the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets.
Mr. Snider was an icon – an entrepreneur, a passionate philanthropist, a risk-taker for the greater good, and a true visionary in the sports and entertainment industry. Mr. Snider's philanthropic generosity continues to benefit numerous organizations and agencies throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region and the world.
