In an effort to lure the Sixers into relocating to New Jersey, the state is offering up to $400MM in tax credits and is floating ideas for a new mixed-use arena on the waterfront, according to The Associated Press.
“The reality is we are running out of time to reach an agreement that will allow the 76ers to open our new home in time for the 2031-32 NBA season,” a team spokesperson wrote in an email. “As a result, we must take all potential options seriously, including this one.”
The Sixers called the offer “thoughtful and compelling,” according to the report.
This comes on the heels of the team stating its plans to exit Wells Fargo Arena by 2031 when the lease is up. The team and the City of Philadelphia are also currently negotiating over a planned $1.3 billion arena near Chinatown.
However, a new proposal would turn that space — the Fashion District — into a biomedical research facility, which would impact the Sixers’ plans for a new arena. According to a report from The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff Gammage, the plan is for the science center to provide year-round work and jobs to the area, as opposed to the 150 events that would be planned in a new arena.
As we’ve relayed, citizens have concerns about the impact a new arena and housing would have on the area and how it would affect the community through gentrification.
We have more from the Sixers:
- In response to New Jersey courting the Sixers to move, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said keeping the team in Philadelphia “is a priority,” according to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Anna Orso. “But we have a process here in the city of Philadelphia that we are following, and we will allow it to play itself out,” Parker said.
- The Sixers are hiring Grizzlies executive Ariana Andonian as vice president of player personnel, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Andonian was included on The Athletic’s NBA “40 under 40” list this offseason and has been with the Grizzlies since 2020. “Those who worked with her rave about her attention to detail and scouting acumen,” Vorkunov wrote.
- Philadelphia shook up its roster in a major way this offseason, adding a star player in Paul George and key role players like Caleb Martin. The team also added Reggie Jackson as a backup guard. In a subscriber-only story, Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer spoke to Nuggets reporter Chris Dempsey about the addition of Jackson and what fans can expect from the veteran. Dempsey says Jackson was a total pro who never complained about his role and did whatever it took to help the team win.
And New Jersey still has the Meadowlands arena
That’s 75 minutes from Philly. Camden is 10, lol
Just to call out that fugazi story by Jeff in the Inquirer as it has been criticized in the Philadelphia media. Originally, the article had this passage in it:
“Comcast Spectacor confirmed details of the presentation Tuesday, after being contacted by The Inquirer. The company said the presentation followed a July meeting between CEO and Chairman Daniel Hilferty and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, at which the Mayor told him, “If you don’t want the 76ers’ arena, you need to give me alternatives.”
Anna Orso retweeted this and highlighted that passage. Shortly after her tweet and others sharing it were deleted and the Inquirer did a stealth edit in the article. That part of the article changed to:
“Comcast Spectacor confirmed details of the presentation Tuesday, after being contacted by The Inquirer.”
They were called out for the stealth edit by Sixers beat writer Kyle Nubeck. After pointing out the edit the article had this added to the bottom:
“An earlier version of this story included an erroneous quote that was misattributed to Mayor Parker,”
Hopefully, all this shows that they didn’t do their due diligence and the information should be taken with a grain of salt if they are going out of their way to make all these edits including trying to hide them.
The sixers should go to Campden, the city must understand that having the team is an honor and a privilege, not something they can take for granted!
It is you’re right and I live here and love having four major sports teams but the Sixers have a good home now and if they want a new arena, I’m all for it, it just has to make sense for all parties and the neighborhoods. Where all teams play now is spacious and not intrusive. Something in Chinatown would be a logistical nightmare. There are other areas with less impact that could house a new arena. Hoping options are explored.
Sixers:
Lowry Maxey PG C. Martin Embiid
Jackson Gordon Oubre K. Martin Drummond
McCain Council Yabusele Bona
Small starting line up, very much an older squad now, lacking a true PF, think we also need a couple dawgs which we don’t have.
I see us being again a good side but not great.
Especially when you look at how the Knicks were aggressive, Boston stayed strong, the Bucks made an effort to retool and young teams like Indiana and Orlando will just grow from their previous experiences.
You have the starting 5 wrong and you go downhill from there.
Stadiums should be used for more than 30 years minimum. All of this we need a new one when they aren’t even 30 years old yet seems like a bunch of rich people acting like spoiled little kids.
The Sixers are not leaving the city. They’d be better off building an arena on the Philly side of the waterfront off of Delaware ave. There’s plenty of room there and easy to get to from major highways especially 95. The land is either barren, underdeveloped or just a dump in some areas and needs new life. You could probably build an arena and have it face the sixers practice facility in Camden and have a ferry shuttle to and from games as an added attraction. An arena in center city would be a nightmare. Too congested and the neighborhoods there like Chinatown don’t deserve to be pushed out.