The Philadelphia 76ers are staying in South Philadelphia within the newest — and certain ultimate — twist of their quest to construct a brand new area. The Josh Harris-owned 76ers and the NHL’s Flyers (owned by Comcast Spectacor) made an announcement Monday morning that the 2 groups will proceed sharing a house within the South Philly Stadium Complicated and can construct a brand new area slated to open by 2031 in a “50-50 three way partnership.”
The information broke Sunday, and was a surprising reversal for the 76ers, who spent two-and-a-half years pushing for their very own new area in Middle Metropolis, on the border of Philadelphia’s Chinatown. The 76ers — who additionally flirted with the concept of shifting to Camden, N.J. — even bought key approvals from metropolis lawmakers in December in a contentious vote. The 2 groups each at present play on the Wells Fargo Middle within the Stadium Complicated, an space the NFL’s Eagles and MLB’s Phillies additionally name house.
Along with the world announcement, the 2 possession teams say they’re additionally teaming up “to bid to deliver a WNBA staff to town.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman each had statements within the press launch saying the brand new area deal. Silver mentioned it was “nice information for the Metropolis of Philadelphia.”
“I enormously admire the management of Mayor [Cherelle] Parker and Governor [Josh] Shapiro and the willingness of HBSE and Comcast to affix forces, the results of which shall be a world-class area for 76ers and Flyers followers, with alternatives for extra groups to come back,” Silver mentioned.”
A brand new area deal has been a precedence for the 76ers for a while. Comcast Spectacor used to personal the 76ers, however offered them to Josh Harris in 2011. Comcast saved the Flyers, although, primarily making the 76ers tenants within the Flyers’ area.
The brand new mannequin gaining steam throughout sports activities is to construct stadium districts across the area that turn out to be revenue facilities in their very own proper. The Clippers and Warriors, each of whom personal their very own arenas, are notable examples of this pattern. This was seemingly the plan for the 76ers at Market Avenue. There has additionally been dialogue of improvement plans on the current sports activities advanced.
Within the means of planning the world, although, the 76ers confronted vital opposition from group teams. Two neighborhoods–Chinatown and Washington Sq. West — would have bordered the proposed area and had been very a lot against it as a consequence of considerations about site visitors and rising prices. A 2024 ballot confirmed that solely 18% of Philadelphia residents citywide supported the venture. The plan nonetheless made it by a Metropolis Council vote with the staff contributing $60 million to a Group Advantages Settlement over 30 years.
However in the long run, the Harris-owned 76ers have determined to remain put. Harris can be the proprietor of the NFL’s Washington Commanders (and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils), and his soccer staff is trying to get a new stadium in D.C.
