Sixers’ $1.5B Arena Plan Gains Key Support, but Faces Fierce Opposition

The 76ers’ push to build a downtown arena has never been easy or straightforward, and even with a new dose of support from Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker, an uphill path still awaits the NBA team. 

Parker announced Wednesday a new agreement between her administration and the 76ers to develop a $1.55 billion arena in Philadelphia’s Center City, codifying to some degree more than two years of planning by the team to construct their own facility. The agreement also appears to end, at least for now, a rival effort by New Jersey to bring the team across the river to neighboring Camden, though officials there are vowing to still make their case to the 76ers.

“This is a historic agreement,” Parker said in a video address. “It is the best financial deal ever entered into by a Philadelphia mayor for a local sports arena. I wholeheartedly believe it is the right deal for the people of Philadelphia.”

The 76ers, not surprisingly, cheered the mayor’s moves.

“We are grateful to Mayor Parker and her team for their time and diligence in evaluating our proposal and look forward to advancing to the next steps with the city council,” the team said in a statement.

Just the Start

The proposed development, however, indeed must still move through the Philadelphia City Council, and approval there is far from assured. Opposition to the downtown arena proposal remains fierce in the local Asian American community, which protested the mayoral agreement in front of City Hall on Wednesday. 

That sentiment could very well influence what happens when the council takes up the issue, something expected to happen this fall. Most of the 17-member council has yet to take a public position on the arena. Philadelphia’s Chinatown is about a block from the proposed arena location, and concerns there have run the gamut from traffic to potential gentrification and the forcing out of incumbent ethnic communities. 

“Mayor Parker still hasn’t met with Chinatown after all this time, yet feels she can have a stance on whether our community should live or die,” said Debbie Wei, a longtime Chinatown activist. “This was never about one person, and this fight is far from over. We are going to fight this, and we are going to the mat. It’s on.”

Eagles legend Jason Kelce, meanwhile, went on WIP-FM on Thursday and similarly criticized the proposal and 76ers ownership, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. 

“I prefer [the team] stays in south Philly, unquestionably,” Kelce said. “They’re strong-arming the city. What do you do? Do you risk losing the Sixers? It just sucks.”

No Change in South Philadelphia

Comcast Spectacor, owner and operator of Wells Fargo Center where the 76ers currently play, is maintaining its stance regarding the team. An offer has long stood for the team to stay in the existing south Philadelphia sports complex after the current lease expires in 2031. Executives for Comcast Spectacor, which also owns the NHL’s Flyers, have also proposed an equal partnership with the 76ers on a new arena in the existing sports complex that would house both the basketball and hockey teams.

As that offer has remained, both Comcast Spectacor and HBSE have also sought to fortify their respective arena development efforts in recent months. HBSE has shown no interest in staying at Wells Fargo Center, but Comcast Spectator is still making overtures.

“Regardless of the outcome of the city’s negotiations with HBSE, our door will always be open for the 76ers to join us in south Philadelphia if they ever conclude that is what is best for their team,” said Dan Hilferty, Comcast Spectacor chair and CEO.