Tour Pat Croce's Villanova mansion before it's auctioned off

VILLANOVA, Pa. (WPVI) -- Former Sixers president Pat Croce is looking to downsize. His Villanova mansion goes up for auction at the end of the month, and we got an exclusive preview of what's inside.

"I love this home. Lived here 21 years. Love it. Invested in it until the day I moved because I never thought I was going to leave it," Croce said.

The entrepreneur, Sixers owner, and now pirate aficionado Pat Croce is putting his house up on the auction block and he gave us an exclusive personal tour of his 11,000 square foot home.

The 1925 colonial mansion greets you with a double stair case and chandelier. The home features a gourmet kitchen, office, library, six bedrooms, five full baths, three half baths, five fireplaces, detailed carved Italian marble, and one of a kind millwork tennis courts and a pool.

"On the other end of the house is the master bedroom bathroom living quarters haram... whatever you want to call it. Diane just loved it," he says.

The master suite includes his and her bathrooms and a dressing room any woman would love to have.

"I'm even leaving my gun safe and the key. No guns," Pat said.

Realtor Lavinia Smerconish tells us, "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Whoever gets it will get a great house."

The auction is set for October 25th. It will be an absolute auction, meaning the home will sell to the highest bidder regardless of price.

That's because it is also a part of Philadelphia sports history.

Croce explains, "During the Sixers reign, this is where everyone would come."

When Croce, the former owner and president of the Sixers, took the team from last place to the NBA Finals, this is where the team celebrated. The family hosting screenings in an addition over the garages.

"I turn 60 one month from today. I'm clearing all history of the past," he said.

Croce says there is no better way to say his farewell to this wonderful home.

"I want finality to it. And it's an event and I love events."