The 76ers are so devoted to their push to build a $1.55 billion downtown arena, that they are now willing to increase how much they pay in community benefits.
David Gould, the team’s corporate affairs officer, told the Philadelphia City Council this week that they are open to raising the $50 million in a proposed community benefits agreement (CBA) that would be part of the arena project. Those benefits would be used to aid local businesses impacted by the arena’s construction, enhanced security and street cleaning in the area, and other related civic needs.
“We are in conversations with the council president about the overall CBA number,” Gould told the council. “We are considering adjustment.”
The long-discussed arena in Philadelphia’s Center City has always been premised on being privately financed, led by the 76ers’ ownership, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The project, however, has been highly combative on multiple fronts, particularly with the neighboring Chinatown neighborhood fearful of potential gentrification and the forcing out of incumbent ethnic communities. Wells Fargo Center owner Comcast Spectacor, meanwhile, would like to keep the 76ers in the South Philadelphia sports complex.
The 76ers had previously sought to pay no more than $50 million in CBA funds. But the team is eagerly seeking to get city council approval before a Dec. 19 winter recess. Mayor Cherelle Parker is an ardent supporter of the arena, but sentiment on the 17-member council is likely to be more divided.
“The minimum has to be another $10 million, if you want to be realistic, but I think we need more than that,” said councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district includes the proposed arena site, referring to the CBA money. “I don’t think we as a body would support anything less than that, so there has to be some give.”
Other councilmembers, meanwhile, bristled at the broader prospect of considering such a massive project in the next two weeks.
“This timeline is not fair,” said councilmember Rue Landau. “It is not respectful, it’s wrong, and we want answers to our questions.”
More Concerns
The ongoing arena drama is the latest turn in what has already been an ugly 2024–2025 season for the 76ers. The team had a 5–14 record entering Wednesday’s home game against the Magic, the second-worst in the Eastern Conference.
The team’s defining on-court storyline, meanwhile, has been the ongoing game absences, a three-game suspension, and the load-management debate surrounding star center Joel Embiid. The 2022–23 NBA MVP has appeared in just four games so far this season.
