76ers, Flyers announce plans for new home in South Philadelphia
Wells Fargo Center via AP
As we all know, the 76ers abandoned their plan to open their new, $1.3 billion arena in Center City on Sunday and plan to stay in South Philadelphia.
On Monday, Sixers ownership, Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, will team up with Flyers owners, Comcast Spectacor, to construct a “world-class, state-of-the-art arena” in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, the companies said in a press release.
After seven years of the $400 million renovation of the Wells Fargo Center, the two franchises will open a new home by 2031, or possibly earlier. The two teams will be splitting the costs 50/50 of the fully privately funded arena.
On Sunday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Comcast President Brian Roberts reportedly talked the 76ers into staying in the South Philly Sports Complex, according to Ernest Owens of Philly Mag. The Sixers have wanted their own building for years, as they no longer wanted to rent from the Wells Fargo Center. Now, the building will be 50/50.
“This is a great day for Philadelphia and the fans of our storied sports franchises,” said Roberts. “We are grateful to Mayor [Cherelle] Parker and Governor [Josh] Shapiro for their leadership and are thrilled to work together to develop the premier sports and entertainment destination in the nation that will benefit the region for decades to come.”
Harris Blitzer and Comcast Spectacor said they plan to work with “government officials and local stakeholders to develop a variety of options” to improve Market East.
Silver and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman both had statements in the press release announcing the new arena deal. Silver said it is “great news for the City of Philadelphia.”
“I greatly appreciate the leadership of Mayor Parker and Governor Shapiro and the willingness of HBSE and Comcast to join forces, the result of which will be a world-class arena for 76ers and Flyers fans, with opportunities for more teams to come,” Silver said.
The two companies also plan to bid for a WNBA franchise. The reason Philadelphia has not been gifted a team yet is because of the instability of the Sixers’ arena situation. Now, finally, the arena affair is stable, and a new building is on the way, so a WNBA franchise could be coming with it.
“We firmly believe we are better working together for Philadelphia,” Dan Hilferty, chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor, said. “This new arena will complement other exciting developments in the area, including Comcast Spectacor’s and the Philadelphia Phillies’ plans to create the country’s top sports and entertainment district. We will all work closely together to create an unmatched experience for the fans while developing a vibrant mixed-use district that serves our community.”
All big four teams in Philadelphia will remain in the same parking lot. The unique and historic complex remains. This is a win for Philadelphia.
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Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin has been covering Philly Sports for Philly Sports Reports since 2017. He is a podcaster, writer, and founder of Philly Sports Reports. Benjamin is also an intern at the WBCB Sports Network on 1490AM. Through Philly Sports Reports, Benjamin has gotten the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and be honored as the Philadelphia sports fan of the week for KYW News Radio. He hopes to be reporting on Philly sports as a full-time job in the future.
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