Sports

Ed Snider, founder of Philadelphia Flyers, dies at 83

Associated Press
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FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2004, file photo, Philadelphia Flyers' owner Ed Snider responds to a question during a news conference in Philadelphia. Ed Snider, the Philadelphia Flyers founder whose "Broad Street Bullies" became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, died Monday, April 11, 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 83. (AP Photo/George Widman, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2011, file photo, Ed Snider speaks after being inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Chicago. Ed Snider, the Philadelphia Flyers founder whose "Broad Street Bullies" became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, died Monday, April 11, 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 83.(AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2011, file photo, Ed Snider speaks after being inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Chicago. Ed Snider, the Philadelphia Flyers founder whose "Broad Street Bullies" became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, died Monday, April 11, 2016 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 83.(AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File) (The Associated Press)

Ed Snider, the Philadelphia Flyers founder whose "Broad Street Bullies" became the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, has died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 83.

His family issued a statement that said Snider "was loved and admired for his big heart, generosity of spirit, and dedication to his family."

Snider was arguably the most influential executive in Philadelphia sports history. He was chairman of the 76ers, was once a part-owner of the Eagles and had a hand in founding both Comcast's local sports channel and the city's largest sport-talk radio station.

Upon hearing that the National Hockey League was going to expand from its original six teams to 12, Snider petitioned the league and was awarded an expansion club in 1966.