The Philadelphia 76ers have decided not to build a $1.3 billion downtown arena.
The announcement occurred several weeks after the team received approval for the new stadium from the city council. The team confirmed a new change in plans, but reasons for the announcement have not been disclosed.
The 76ers currently play at the Wells Fargo Center, an arena they share with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Philadelphia Flyers. The arena’s owner, Comcast Spectacor, have agreed to a new deal with the 76ers which was key to halting their current stadium plan.
The initial plan was to bring a new stadium to Market Street in Center City Philadelphia, an area that encompasses the central parts of Philadelphia. The arena would have been located on the intersection of Market and Filbert streets.
However, the new plan keeps the team in their current area. Instead of moving locations, the new stadium plan is to demolish Wells Fargo Center and build a new arena in South Philadelphia for both the 76ers and Flyers.
The announcement was controversial to many people. Some saw the late switch as a victory, keeping several workers employed and expanding South Philadelphia. However, others criticized the way this decision had been reached as it showed that the 76ers had not maintained a positive relationship with the city.
The 76ers have been playing at the Wells Fargo Center since 1996. Their lease is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2030-2031 season. The initial plan included demolishing parts of Center City to make room for the new stadium. However, the state’s inability to provide funding towards the Center City arena remained an obstacle in the team’s quest to find a new home for the 2031-2032 season. With the 76ers remaining in their current area, they can now focus on the design of the stadium and how it compares to where they currently are.
https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-76ers-nba-arena-chinatown-f55110de9e968ae9b0ca4ac04cd46ffe
https://www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-arena-plans-south-philadelphia-center-city-opponent-reactions/
