Philly Pro Sports Team To Cease Operations Under Comcast's Ownership

PHILADELPHIA — Comcast plans to stop operating the Philadelphia Wings, a professional lacrosse team, at the end of the season, putting the team's future in jeopardy.

The current franchise, owned by Comcast Spectator, was founded in 2017. But the Philadelphia Wings name goes back to 1974, when they were one of six teams in the original National Lacrosse League and competed at the Spectrum — the 76ers' and Flyers' former arena.

On Monday, team owner Comcast Spectator announced their decision to fold the franchise once the 2025-26 National Lacrosse League (NLL) season ends.

The team currently sits last in the NLL with a 4-12 record.

"This was not an easy conclusion to reach, and it is one we considered with great care," the announcement says. "Since the Wings' re-establishment in 2017 and return to the turf in 2018, the team has carried on Philadelphia's rich lacrosse tradition at the highest level."

The NLL is meeting with prospective ownership groups for the franchise. But that could mean moving the team from Philadelphia, where the league is headquartered.

"This transition represents a strategic step in aligning the club with an ownership group and operating environment positioned to maximize its future potential," NLL Commissioner Brett Frood said in a statement. "As part of this evolution, the League is prioritizing markets and venues that offer enhanced flexibility, fan engagement opportunities, and long-term growth alignment with the NLL's broader business trajectory."

Comcast Spectator, a division of Comcast, also owns the Flyers and Xfinity Mobile Arena — the Wings' home venue.

The original Philadelphia Wings played two seasons in the mid-1970s before the league folded. They were regular-season championships in 1974, their first season.

The Wings were re-established in 1987, when a new NLL was founded. They competed in Philadelphia until 2014, when the franchise relocated to Connecticut and rebranded as the New England Black Wolves.

In 2017, the NLL awarded an expansion franchise in Philadelphia to Comcast Spectator, which branded the new team with the Wings name.

Several fans met Monday's announcement with disappointment but not surprise. Here were some of the most-liked replies to the Instagram announcement:

• "Translation: Big corporation has no idea how to make a franchise successful after doing nothing to help the franchise be successful."
• "Comcast runs franchises into the ground, then throw their hands up surprised that cutting costs and not doing anything for the team ruins them."
• "Kinda saw the writing on the walls when you traded every asset. Ngl ill buy some gloves or merch when the yardsale starts."
• "I have supported the Wings since 1974. I don't anticipate being around to support the next reincarnation. 51 year Wings Fan."

The NLL's regular season runs for a few more weeks.