Philadelphia Secures Iconic Rocky Statue in $150K Deal for Permanent Art Museum Display

December 10, 2025
Philadelphia Secures Iconic Rocky Statue in $150K Deal for Permanent Art Museum Display
  • There is skepticism about how the decision was reached and calls for more transparency regarding what happened at the meeting with the Philadelphia Art Commission.

  • The Rocky statue, created by A. Thomas Schomberg, exists in three identical bronzes; two sit at the museum, and the top statue was briefly loaned to Rocky Fest in 2024.

  • This story is part of Philly Mag’s daily news brief, which blends updates on entertainment, politics, food, sports, and local culture.

  • A subpoena underscores concerns about transparency and oversight of public funds used for security upgrades tied to the project.

  • The Starting Line will perform at the TLA and the Fillmore around their new album Eternal Youth, with tour dates linked.

  • A separate local crime item notes two South Jersey brothers were arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot ICE on social media.

  • The proposal will be reviewed at an upcoming Philadelphia Art Commission meeting, highlighting Rocky’s cultural relevance through local voices.

  • City officials plan to install a new city-owned statue at the bottom of the steps and move the top statue slightly for a permanent display, with an estimated cost of about $150,000.

  • Residents voiced mixed feelings about accessibility versus iconic views, urging more inclusive viewing options.

  • A deal with Sylvester Stallone will allow Philadelphia to keep the original Rocky statue, with a plan to install a permanent display near the current replica at the Art Museum steps.

  • If final approvals come through, installation could begin next year, aligning with the museum’s exhibit timeline and community engagement goals.

  • Event statistics show Chickie’s & Pete’s Crabfries served nearly 29,000 portions and over 6,200 gallons of beer across nine days at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Summary based on 9 sources


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