Kenney pushes Nutter to give up box seats at Philly sports venues to benefit kids

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With the city of Philadelphia soliciting donations to help buy school supplies, one member of City Council has suggested renting out the mayor’s luxury boxes at the city’s sports venues.

City Councilman Jim Kenney has asked Mayor Michael Nutter to give up his premium seats at Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park and Wells Fargo Center to benefit the Philadelphia Educational Supplies Fund.

“I thought this would be a pretty quick way, a pretty effective way, of raising I think more than a million dollars,” Kenney said Tuesday. “We’ve estimated $1.5 million, perhaps $2 million considering what the teams are doing at the time.”

Kenney said the stadiums also host a variety of big-ticket events that could provide a lot for the Philadelphia Educational Supplies Fund.

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“U-2 at the Linc, Bruce Springsteen at the Bank, Beyonce at the Wells Fargo Center — in addition to all the Phillies, Flyers, Sixers and Eagles games,” he said. “Eagles games can go for as much as $20,000 to $30,000 a game.”

The mayor does not support the plan, a spokesman said, noting that tickets for the boxes are regularly given to school students, church groups and even City Council members who use them to recognize outstanding community members.

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