South Jersey Magazine - Moorestown / Mt. Laurel

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SJM 1123 Sports Fans - FINAL_SJM Feature 11 / 16 / 23 3 : 31 PM Page 4 tions . Getting out there and trying to Philliesplayoff games this year and also through early spring . And our Phillies pick somebody up when they’re down is roots feverishly for the other teams , business throughout the spring and a great thing . I thought that moment whenever one is doing well , it changes summerwas tremendous — 45,000 people was awesome . I always thought Philadel - hiswhole mood . everynight at Citizens Bank Park equates phia took a little bit of a bad rap for being “ Asyou get older , obviously you want to a lot of people who need jerseys and so rough , so it’s cool to see how this team yourteam to win , but the best part for T - shirtsand hats . We really thought that really bonded with the city . ” me is when your team’s in the playoffs , runwas going to continue — the playoffs As part of his broadcasting duties , youhave something to look forward to were magical , and then it ended pretty Murphy often speaks to Turner and his everysingle day that there’s a game , ” he quickly . ” teammates . He believes the ovation hit says . “ It gives you reason for family get - Fortunately , the interest has just home with all of them . togethers , for friend get - togethers . Every - shifted to the Eagles , and the return of “ I think that whole national narrative one in the Philadelphia area who put a Kellygreen — the Birds are wearing their that maybe we’re not the most awful man cave in their house or threw a TV old color in two games this year — has people on the planet started with the outsideor anything like that , the ultimate createda boom in the apparel industry . Trea Turner ovation , ” he says . “ That was dreamwhen you’re putting those projects “ In38 years , I’ve never seen anything a real thing … and I think it helped the together is , ‘ Wouldn’t it be great to have likewhat’s happened to the marketplace entire clubhouse at that point , because my friends over for a Phillies playoff with these Kelly green jerseys and the there was a lot of pressing going on and game or World Series game , or for an whole Kelly green fever , ” DeMaria says . they were still trying to find their footing , Eaglesplayoff game or Super Bowl ? ’ “ They launched the jersey on Aug . 1 , and they did . The national media picked andthe last couple of months have been up on it , as they often do , and it just reallylean because the demand far out - “ [ NOBODY ] GETS THE CROWD became a narrative at that point . It was weighed the supply . It’s just now that THAT PHILADELPHIA DOES . great to hear . I don’t want to speak for we’re getting back into a really sound the organization , but I do think the orga - inventory position on the Kelly green WHETHER THAT’S GOOD OR nization was really proud of that narrative jerseys.It’s just not stopping ; the customer BAD , I’M NOT SURE , BECAUSE andproud of how home - field advantage can’tget enough of it . ” AT TIMES IT CAN BE PRETTY helpedthe team . ” Sportsbars experience a similar jolt FRIGHTENING WITH SOME OF Maronski , who was a season ticket whenthe teams are successful . holder when the Phillies won the World “ We definitely get more people and THE PEOPLE . BUT THEY ARE Series in 2008 , also attended a playoff thevibe is a lot stronger , especially during TOTALLY DIEHARD FANS . ” gamethis year and could sense a differ - a baseball game because people are so — A N N E K O O N S ence . intenselywatchingeach pitch , ” says Dan “ I was at the clincher against Florida Barbara , a bartender for more than 30 and it was awesome , ” he says . “ I went to “ Thisyear , one of the parties we had yearswho works at Ott’s in Washington a couple last year too , including a World atour house , it felt like it was someone’s Township . “ We get the same crowd sitting Series game , which unfortunately they birthday . My wife went out and got in the same spot and doing the same didn’t win . It felt like it was a whole new Philliesballoons and Phanatic cupcakes ; routine.As a bartender it’s good because generation of people who maybe didn’t Iwas downloading a playlist early in the there’s not a lot of turnover and it’s the get to experience that 2008 run . I think morning of the up - to - bat songs . You’re same people every week , so you know it was a lot of people’s first time getting makingit an event , which is super cool . ” whatthey’re drinking . Some of our cus - to experience what playoff baseball is Thoseplayoff runs also give a signif - tomerseven brought a boombox so they all about . ” icantboost to local businesses . Bellmawr wereplaying music in between innings , resident John DeMaria is the vice presi - justto keep the hype going . ” The impact of successful teams dentof purchasing / retail operations for With the Sixers off to a strong start Although Philadelphia still only has two Pro Image Sports , which has its home thisseason under new head coach Nick championships in the four major sports offices in Runnemede and 13 stores in Nurse , Mount Laurel resident Joe since 1983 — the Phillies in 2008 and the NewJersey , Pennsylvania , Delaware and Canatarois excited to bring his wife and Eagles ’ Super Bowl victory in 2018 fol - Maryland , including locations in the 12 - year - old daughter to games . His lowing the 2017 season — there have CherryHill and Deptford malls . He is in daughterbecame interested in basketball been plenty of memorable moments in charge of ordering the products for the afew years ago , and they’ve had season recent years as well , including the Phillies shelves — such as the playoff clothing ticketsever since . reaching the World Series last fall , and that is in such high demand when the “ We’ve been to some great games the Eagles returning to the Super Bowl teamsare doing well . overthe past couple of years , like when this past February while also looking “ This whole year has been a whirl - Embiid had 59 points or when they beat like contenders this season . The Flyers wind because the Eagles were in the the Nuggets and he had a dominant have been rebuilding , but even with the SuperBowl and had a really good chance game over [ Nikola ] Jokic , ” he says . “ It’s Sixers still struggling to advance far in ofwinning it , so our business was tremen - an exciting atmosphere with the team the playoffs , they have the reigning NBA dous through February , ” he says . “ The they have , and they do a great job with MVP in Joel Embiid and a budding star Phillies signing Trea Turner led to a the kids too , which keeps them interested in Tyrese Maxey . tremendous amount of interest from the whole game with all of the fanfare . ” For Mignogna , who attended several late Christmas last year all the way Canataro is also a longtime Eagles S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 8 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 2 1

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SJM 1123 Sports Fans - FINAL_SJM Feature 11 / 16 / 23 3 : 31 PM Page 5 INTEREST ROOTING A season ticket holder and traveled to Min - betweenyou and your son . ’ So obviously , timethey’re doing that , they’re enjoying nesota to watch the Birds win the Super itmeant a lot to the people , because as I it but they’re also learning . They take Bowl in 2018 . He had wrestled with the wrote in my book , David and I thought thatinto the stands with them on Sunday decision because of the financial com - wewere putting our arms around each foran Eagles game ; as a result , it makes mitment , but ultimately knew he couldn’t other , but we really put our arms around themsmarter fans , and I think it makes pass up the opportunity . the entire city . I didn’t realize it at the thembetter fans . The really high level of “ It’s definitely a commitment , and it time , but I know it now , and in that con - sportsjournalism in this town is part of was in Minnesota , which is not the best text it’s actually a pretty cool feeling . ” whatmakes it so great here . ” place to go in February , ” he says . “ But Koons was also in Minnesota , one Murphythinks the current ownership my wife said , ‘ You should go . You’re a of several trips she’s made to the Super groups are also feeding into the high huge fan and it’s not like they make the Bowlboth for the Eagles and other teams . level of interest from the fans . Sure , the Super Bowl every year . ’ I debated back “ I’ve also been to the NBA All - Star Phillies ’ loss to the Diamondbacks ’ in and forth and decided it was going to Game and to the NBA Draft , ” she says . thisyear’s NLCS was crushing after they be worth the investment . I’m obviously “ I’ma diehard fan and I just love it . ” held a 2 - 0 lead in the series , and he has glad I went , because they won and it Murphyand his colleagues constantly seen some negative pushback . But for was one of the most incredible Super seePhillies fans on the road throughout the most part , he senses an optimism Bowls ever , not just because it was the thesummer and he believes they travel that hasn’t always been part of Philly Eagles but because it was a great game as well as any fan base in the country . sports . and I got to see Tom Brady . And beating TheEagles are at the same level . “ Most of what I’ve seen since the New England , there’s nothing sweeter Costahas seen many games for both end of the season in talking with folks than that . teamsin visitors ’ stadiums . The highlight at Wawa and being out in the super - “ I would go to another Super Bowl , waswhen he took his teenaged son to market is , ‘ The best part about this is because it was such a great experience , ” lastyear’s Super Bowl in Arizona , a deci - we know we’re going to be good for he continues . “ Not to put the cart before sionhe stands by even though the Eagles years to come , ’ ” Murphy says . “ This the horse , but if they are fortunate enough cameup short against the Chiefs . organizationhas proven that they’re all to get there this year , it’s in Las Vegas “ I’mhoping that it wasn’t a once - in - in , just as the Eagles organization has and I think that would be a cool place to a - lifetimething , but given the history of proventhat and , to an extent , the Sixers watch a Super Bowl . So I have it in the my lifetime , it’s only been once so far , ” too . I think people are realizing that back of my mind that if they make it he says . “ I’ve only had one opportunity the teams in this town are trying to this year , I might try to find a way to in my life to go see the Eagles in the win . It’s hard to win , but they’re trying , make that work . ” Super Bowl , and yes , it was a lot of and really that’s all you can ask for out Didinger was in Minnesota to cover money.But I don’t regret doing it . I had ofthe organizations . ” Super Bowl LII as part of Eagles Postgame afun trip with my son and the only neg - Andwhen they don’t win , Philly fans Live on NBC Sports Philadelphia . During ativewas the final score . It’s still a lifetime areused to picking themselves back up the show , he shared a famous moment memory , either way . ” andmoving on quickly . with his son David , who was working “ It’sdevastating when they lose , ” says for NFL Films and showed up on set to The future for Philly fans Maronski , who admits that he didn’t celebrate with his dad . The plan was to Didinger believes Philadelphia fans are really watch this year’s World Series wait for a commercial break , but host thebest in the country and will continue because he was still hurting from the Michael Barkann waved him over on tobe moving forward , not just because end of the Phillies ’ season . “ You put so live TV , and father and son shared an oftheir passion but also for their knowl - much passion and energy into each emotional hug . Didinger was moved to edge of the sports they follow . He notes team every year , and when they lose it tears thinking about his childhood and that the excellent coverage from beat kindsof takes it out of you for a little bit . his late father , a huge Eagles fan . writers , columnists and broadcasters Butthen the beautiful thing about sports “ When I sat down , Gov . [ Ed ] Rendell that goes back decades has played an is there’s always that next sport waiting was sitting next to me , and I think he instrumentalrole in that . for you . You wait a week or so and say , saw that I was a little uncomfortable “ Without even realizing it , the fans ‘ Well , we’ve still got the Eagles and the with it , ” Didinger recalls . “ He leaned aregoing to school every time they read Sixersare off to a good start . ’ The beautiful over and whispered , ‘ Don’t worry about astory or watch a game , and it just deep - thingabout sports , especially in this area it . That moment you just had with your enstheir knowledge of what’s happening whereyou have four teams , is that you son is happening in every living room on the field , ” he says . “ The fact that canalways move on to the next one . ” all over the Delaware Valley , so the people you’vehad years and years and years of And who knows ? Maybe that next get it . ’ And he was absolutely right . exceptional sports coverage , both in teamcan make a run that is just as elec - “ When I came home the next day , print and on the air , has resulted in a tric , magical and thrilling . there were so many calls and messages highlyeducated , very refined and strongly “ It helps everyone [ when the teams and emails that poured in from people opinionatedfan base . The fans and the thrive ] , ” Mignogna concludes . “ Families saying how much they loved it . I still mediaare part of the same story here . I getcloser , businesses do better . It brings hear about it to this day . A guy just don’t think people even realize it : They everyone together , people are happier stopped me yesterday and said , ‘ In Super just watch the games , they read the and it gives people something to talk Bowl LII , next to the Philly Special , to paperand they listen to sports talk , and about . That’s the beautiful community me the highlight was that moment they just kind of absorb it . The whole ofsports . ” n 2 2 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E | V O L U M E 2 0 , I S S U E 8 | S O U T H J E R S E Y M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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