Philadelphia 76ers Pull Shocking Arena Reversal

In a Philadelphia 76ers season already full of twists and turns, nothing was more shocking than the reversal the team pulled in its local arena saga.

Over the weekend, the NBA squad struck a deal to remain at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex beyond the 2031 expiration of its Wells Fargo Center lease, the Inquirer reported. The Sixers and Comcast Spectacor, owner of the mixed-use sports complex, will work together to build an arena for the team, as well as the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers.

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — which owns the Sixers — and Comcast announced the 50-50 joint venture on Monday. It’s expected to open in 2031, though there’s potential for it to open earlier.

Staying in South Philadelphia was always an option for the Sixers, but the door appeared to close on that possibility a few weeks ago when the City Council approved legislation that would enable the development of a $1.3 billion arena on East Market Street in Center City. That vote was marred by locals’ protests that required law enforcement intervention.

Considering how contentious the process was to get the Center City arena approved, it’s fair to say the Sixers have burned political capital in the city; a city lawmaker who publicly endorsed a move when nobody else had said he was “livid” and felt “as though I was used as a pawn.”

And while NBA commissioner Adam Silver celebrated the Sixers remaining in South Philadelphia, Mayor Cherelle Parker — a fierce advocate of the Center City move — was notably absent from Monday’s announcement by HBSE and Comast; she didn’t respond to a request for comment from the Inquirer over the weekend.

Last year, Comcast revealed a $2.5 billion plan for the complex, complete with a venue, hotel and retail space in the first phase of the project and a second phase including 500,000 square feet of office space, 2,000 multifamily units, another 250-key hotel, 160,000 more square feet of retail space and 10,000 parking spots, though that phase will require more approvals.

Up in the air, however, is the future of Market Street in Center City. The Sixers purchased multiple parcels, earmarked for housing and retail development. A $20 million pledge from the city to Chinatown residents for affordable housing remains in place, according to a councilmember, but the fate of the $60 million community benefits agreement is unclear, just like the fate of planned developments in the area.

The partnership between Sixers ownership and Comcast includes a venture to invest in the abandoned site, but specifics weren’t revealed.

— Holden Walter-Warner