T- 1. M. Night Shyamalan
M. Night Shyamalan has become a fixture at Sixers games. The film director has had courtside season tickets for several seasons. Shyamalan was born in India, but was raised in suburban Philadelphia.
Shyamalan has been on the Hollywood scene since his film debut in 1992. Since then he has made movies like Unbreakable, The Sixth Sense (look at our site title one more time), and Split. He made After Earth in 2013, with current Sixers’ owner Will Smith.
In terms of quality, his movies are up and down. He’s made six films that have failed to score higher than 50 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether or not you like his films, Shyamalan goes the extra mile to put Philadelphia on display. The Philly area is the main setting in the majority of his films. If you’ve seen his most recent film, Split, and have a basic geographical understanding of the city and the surrounding area, his devotion to the area is very evident. His personal production company is located on the Main Line.
M. Night Shyamalan is tied for first on this list for three reasons.
- His podcast with J.J. Redick was really good, and he has spoken to the team before about emotional viewing and basketball.
- He can sit courtside without demanding attention or egging on opposing players.
- He’s brought Bryan Cranston and Samuel L. Jackson to Sixers games. Those two guys are LEGENDS
Shyamalan’s adoration for his hometown and artistic vision has helped put Philadelphia in the spotlight, and his support of the Sixers has not gone unnoticed.
(Also he’s responsible for one of the most quotable lines in recent cinema history)