Sixers reportedly taking ‘all potential options seriously’ with new arena, ‘including [New Jersey]’

Could the Sixers’ efforts to get a new arena land them on the Camden Waterfront? It seems like it might be picking up steam.

Last week, the city of Philadelphia put out an independent study regarding the Sixers’ proposal for a new arena at Market East in Center City.

While most of the study helped the Sixers’ cause, the biggest sticking point continues to be the project’s impact on Chinatown. We highlighted those concerns in a previous post.

If the end result is that the city chooses not to green light 76 Place, it will be the second time the Sixers tried to build a new arena within the city. The previous unsuccessful attempt was a couple years ago when the team proposed an arena near Penn’s Landing. The city instead awarded the land to the New York-based Durst Organization. The Durst Organization has yet to begin development.

The Sixers are in a tight spot if they want to get their new arena done by 2031 when their lease at the Wells Fargo Center ends.

With options dwindling in the city of Philadelphia, could the team look across the Delaware River? A report from ROI-NJ’s Tom Bergeron is giving legs to the idea that the Sixers could turn to Camden and the state of New Jersey to meet their needs.

Bergeron has previously reported that Governor Phil Murphy would welcome the Sixers with open arms — and why not? Bringing an NBA franchise to South Jersey would be a huge boon for the state, specifically the city of Camden. The Sixers already have their state-of-the-art practice facility on the waterfront. Harris-Blitzer Sports & Entertainment already owns the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. New Jersey also hosts two NFL teams in the Giants and Jets (those teams still carry “New York” in front of their names, for what it’s worth). The dots aren’t difficult to connect.

While HBSE would still fund the construction of a new arena in New Jersey, they could be eligible for significant tax breaks, per Bergeron.

“The project, which would be self-financed by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (the entity that owns the Sixers), would be eligible for hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives.

Because the project would contain both an arena and a full-scale mixed-use component, HBSE could be eligible to receive two Aspire tax credits worth up to $400 million each.

In addition, the Governor’s Office aims to work with the Legislature to enable the structuring of up to $500 million of special-purpose bonds supported by fees and surcharges on tickets, concessions and parking (meaning there will be no impact to New Jersey taxpayers) to support the development of an arena.”

Jersey wants the Sixers and it sure sounds like the Sixers are more open to wanting Jersey with each setback with the city of Philadelphia.

Bergeron provided the following statement, via a Sixers spokesperson:

“We have worked tirelessly for the past five years to build an arena in Philadelphia and negotiations remain ongoing with city leadership regarding our proposal at Market East,” the spokesperson said. “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.

“As a result, we must take all potential options seriously, including this one.”

What the Sixers want is simple: they no longer wish to be tenants of Comcast Spectacor. They want their own arena which will allow them to schedule games easier and also give them the opportunity to make way more money. Control and money, which is exactly what Comcast has over the team right now.

Speaking of, the mud-slinging is getting a bit ugly.

The Philadelphia Inquirer on Tuesday published an article about a proposed use for the space as a biomedical research facility. With Jefferson Health in the area, it makes sense for something like that to be built in Center City.

But no representatives from Jefferson Health were in attendance for the proposal (though they did give a sort of generic statement approving of the idea). So, who then gave the presentation? Comcast Spectactor.

“We felt a responsibility to share an alternative solution that creates benefits for all community members and enhances Philadelphia’s vibrant downtown,” Daniel Hilferty, CEO and chairman of Comcast Spectacor, said Tuesday. Even if the Sixers ultimately opt to remain in South Philadelphia, he said, “as a longtime corporate citizen, we are committed to being part of the solution for Market East.”

What’s troubling is that the first publishing of the article had a quote from Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker, in which she reportedly said, “If you don’t want the 76ers arena, you have to give me alternatives.” The quote was later removed.

It doesn’t take much sleuthing to see Comcast’s goal. They want to keep the Sixers as their tenant and continue to make money off an NBA franchise. While they can talk about being “committed to being part of the solution for Market East,” that since-removed quote from Parker is damning.

This is not a space to speculate wildly, but it sure seems like Parker said this to Hilferty privately with the expectation it would not be shared. It getting into that story initially is an ugly look for all involved.

For the Sixers, it might be the best PR they’ve gotten in regards to their new arena proposal. It’s a clear indication that Comcast is doing all they can to thwart any attempt for the team to leave the Wells Fargo Center when their lease expires in 2031. With New Jersey looming as an alternative, this has the potential to get even uglier.

With all that said, the Sixers still have an enormous obstacle with the impact a new arena in this location would have on the Chinatown community. Can they come up with a satisfactory solution?

Time is running out.