76ers pivot, reach deal to build new arena, stay in South Philly

The Philadelphia 76ers spent years battling well-organized opposition, but in December they finally won a 12-5 vote in the City Council to approve a new arena in downtown, adjacent to Chinatown. from Philadelphia.

On Monday, Philadelphia announced a dramatic change in direction: Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE, the official name of the 76ers’ ownership) is partnering with Comcast Spectacor – the owners of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers – to adopt a 50-year plan. 50 of state building. -state-of-the-art arena located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, near the current home of the Wells Fargo Center. The new home of the 76ers and Flyers is expected to open in 2031 (and perhaps a year or so earlier).

“Today’s announcement is great news for the city of Philadelphia,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. He worked to help close this deal. “I greatly appreciate the leadership of Mayor Parker and Governor Shapiro and the willingness of HBSE and Comcast to join forces, resulting in a world-class arena for 76ers and Flyers fans, with opportunities for other teams to come.”

“From the beginning, we envisioned a project that would transform our city and deliver the type of experience our fans deserve. By bringing together Brian (Roberts, Comcast CEO) and Comcast, this partnership ensures that Philadelphia will have two developments instead of one, creating more jobs and real, lasting economic opportunities,” said Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David HBSE’s Adelman in a statement.

The 76ers’ sudden pivot left some city council members who had supported the downtown arena feeling used, as if they had been exploited to get the deal the team had always wanted.

This, however, appears to be the end of the 76ers arena saga, which included both the downtown idea and a flirtation with New Jersey.