Scoop: A new Rocky statue is coming to Philadelphia Airport
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Renderings of the Rocky statue that'll be installed at Philadelphia International Airport. Image: Courtesy of Department of Aviation
Rocky is back for Round 2: A statue of the iconic fictional boxing legend is headed for Philadelphia International Airport, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The down-on-his-luck brawler won over Philadelphia's heart by punching his way back on top of the boxing world in Sylvester Stallone's touchstone films.
Driving the news: The city's Art Commission on Wednesday approved the Department of Aviation's plan to purchase the 10-foot Rocky statue and install it in the second-floor concourse of Terminal A-West, past airport security.
- With the addition, the city would own two of the three metal Rocky castings created by sculptor Thomas Schomberg.
- The other is located at the steps of the Art Museum, and Stallone owns the third.
Context: The Department of Aviation has been working since at least 2024 to acquire the statue after learning that Schomberg was interested in selling it.
- City officials hosted several meetings with Schomberg and his family, bringing them to Philly to learn about the airport's art program and scour it for potential spots to place the statue.
Officials said in their proposal that Schomberg settled on Terminal A-West as his "ideal" location because it's a modern space with high ceilings and has a backdrop of the plane hangar that's free of advertising.
- Between the lines: It's a place tourists can snap unimpeded photos of the statue.
The statue costs $1.5 million, PHL spokesperson Christine Ottow tells Axios.
The intrigue: The airport plans to install a lighting system that'll add depth and dimension to the statue, allowing them to curate moods for events and enhance the experience for visitors.
What they're saying: Creative Philadelphia Director Marguerite Anglin wrote in a July letter to the city that acquiring the statue is a "fantastic way to celebrate our city's rich culture."
What's ahead: The airport hopes to have the statue in place for next year's semiquincentennial festivities, Ottow says.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the cost of the statue and the expected installation timing.