It appears the Sixers will get their new Center City arena as Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker announces an agreement.
It appears the Sixers are in Philly for good.
Mayor Cherelle Parker announced Wednesday that the city has an agreement with the team on its proposal for an arena at Market East in Center City.
As your Mayor, I’m speaking from my City Hall office with a very important announcement. I am proud to share that I have made my decision, and an agreement has been reached to ensure that our Sixers are staying home.
I wholeheartedly believe this is the right deal for the People… pic.twitter.com/Fnj19mrBOV
— Mayor Cherelle L. Parker (@PhillyMayor) September 18, 2024
The news does come as a bit of surprise. The city recently released an independent study on the Sixers’ proposal. While the study largely appeared to support the team’s plan for 76 Place, the economic impact on Chinatown was cited as a large concern. As Parker noted in the video above, it remains a large concern.
This is by no means done, with several steps still to follow. Kevin Kinkead of Crossing Broad has been all over the arena story:
what happens next:
-Sixers lawyers draft the legislation
-councilman Squilla introduces
-Council President refers to Council Committee
-if legislation comes out of Committee approved, full council votes twice
– then to mayor for signature https://t.co/f6Cuu9h3XI— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) September 18, 2024
For the Sixers, it means an arena of their own starting in 2031, after their current lease at the Wells Fargo Center ends. The team is currently a tenant of the Flyers and Comcast Spectacor in the building. With a new arena, HBSE will have the opportunity to create the Sixers’ schedule more easily while also making more money off the team’s game revenue and hosting events of their own.
Things did look murky there for a bit. With Comcast hoping to keep the Sixers in the Wells Fargo Center and the Sixers possibly looking at their second arena proposal within the city getting shot down, the team was reportedly exploring its options — including potentially moving across the Delaware River to Camden. The team was reportedly hoping to get the green light this fall so they can begin construction. It appears they’re a huge step closer to getting it.
As Parker notes, there will be a bigger presentation on the project soon. While the independent study did make the Sixers’ proposal seem doable, concerns over traffic, parking, safety, public transportation and several other things will still exist amongst Philly residents and Sixers fans.
We’ll provide more information at Liberty Ballers as it becomes available.