• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 9, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

Wells Fargo Center Owner Fires Back As 76ers Arena Fight Heats Up

  • Comcast Spectacor takes issue with podcast statements by Adelman
  • Battle escalates over bid to build second Philadelphia arena
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The owner and operator of Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center — home to both the NBA’s 76ers and NHL’s Flyers — has taken direct aim at the 76ers’ attempt to build a new downtown arena.

Responding to David Adelman’s appearance this week on the Front Office Sports Today podcast, Comcast Spectacor said the chair of the 76ers’ arena development project misstated key components of the ongoing facility debate, which has increasingly roiled both the two organizations and the city at large.

“Philadelphians deserve the facts, not mistruths and distortions being said about the new Wells Fargo Center, game and event scheduling, and more,” a Comcast Spectacor official told Front Office Sports.

Among the items under dispute is that Wells Fargo Center ranks “near the bottom in every major category” in an NBA fan satisfaction survey, according to Adelman. That league survey, obtained by Front Office Sports, indicates the current arena ranks 14th in the NBA on overall game experience satisfaction, and either matches or approaches overall league averages in several categories ranking arena operations and game experience. 

Adelman also said Comcast Spectacor “scrapes” more than 200 calendar days per year at the arena for events and concerts beyond 76ers and Flyers games, a figure the company says is “neither true nor mathematically possible.”

Adelman did correctly say that 28 of 30 NBA teams play in downtown arenas, with only San Antonio’s newly renamed Frost Bank Center joining Wells Fargo Center outside its city center. 

Comcast Spectacor has sought to counter Adelman’s plan with a $400 million renovation, as well as a supplemental development project at the sports complex in South Philadelphia to be announced later this year. 

Adelman said the Wells Fargo Center improvements were “cosmetic” in nature, but the company argues that “nearly everything but the foundation, steel, and concrete has been replaced with state-of-the-art materials and amenities.”

The 76ers’ lease at Wells Fargo Center expires in 2031.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Celtics-Knicks Game 3 Tickets Near Super Bowl Prices

Game 3 against the Celtics has resale ticket prices beginning around $700.

Stars’ $96M Rantanen Bet Paying Off Big at Other Teams’ Expense

Rantanen was traded by Colorado after not agreeing to a contract extension.

Reeling Cavs Have NBA’s Third-Most-Expensive Roster Next Season

Cleveland trails the Pacers, 2–0, in the conference semifinals.

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate 

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.

Featured Today

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.

Trump Gets Another Golf Win With Euro Tour’s Scottish Championship

Trump International Golf Links Scotland will host a tournament in August.
Sep 26, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; David Kohler on the second hole during day two four-ball rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits.
May 5, 2025

Ryder Cup Comeback? Billionaire Owner Eyes Whistling Straits Return

The course has hosted the Ryder Cup and PGA championships.
May 6, 2025

After Getting Sixers to Stay, Comcast Putting Its Own Name on Arena

Comcast will spotlight its mobile business at the South Philadelphia venue.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
April 30, 2025

Utah Hockey Capacity Set to Rise by 6,000—Literally

Hockey sight lines will be greatly improved at the downtown arena.
April 29, 2025

Will Commanders Get Their Stadium? Public Funding Hangs in Balance

The NFL team will have an uphill battle with skeptical council members.
April 28, 2025

London’s Big Sports Play: From NFL Games to Olympic Dreams

The English capital says it has already generated sizable returns from sports.
Rendering for Bridgestone Arena
April 22, 2025

Predators Unveil $650M Plan to Keep Pace With NHL’s Venue Race

The NHL team has big plans for the 28-year-old Nashville arena.