The "relaunching" was a short presentation that included Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider, Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski, new head coach Eddie Jordan, current Sixer Jason Smith, former player World B. Free, and executive adviser Sonny Hill.

"By bringing back the old Sixers logo, we are connecting the past with the future," Snider said. "This logo evokes some of this franchise's proudest moments. We also made this change because we understood how much this logo means to our fans, the franchise, and to our city."

Stefanski said the organization reached out to fans and received an "overwhelming" response to return to the old logo and uniforms.

Yesterday's effort started a rebranding campaign that will include the introduction of a secondary logo and wordmark later this year. The Sixers also said later this summer they will unveil a redesign of both their court and uniforms.

The relaunched color scheme and logo are the ones used in the Sixers' championships seasons of 1966-67 and 1982-83.

"The logo is symbolic of the championship personality," Jordan said.

"I would never have gone away from it," said Stefanski, a Philly native.

"I always preach to the guys, telling them about the past," added Stefanski.

Last season, the Sixers wore their retro uniforms for a number of games as part of the NBA's "Hardwood Classics" program. The exposure of the old logo seemed to encourage fans to push for a permanent return.

Yesterday's presentation was open to the public.

All of those in attendance received a T-shirt featuring the relaunched logo. Afterward, the Sixers launched a "T-Shirt Tour," sending a double-decker bus, tossing T-shirts courtesy of Adidas, through the city and into the suburbs.

"The 76ers' logo is one of the more iconic in all of professional sports and we are sure fans will appreciate the Sixers returning to their core colors and ball icon," Christopher Arena, an NBA vice president, said in a release.

Contact staff writer Kate Fagan at 856-779-3844 or kfagan@phillynews.com.