Sixers To NJ? Gov. Murphy Lobbies For Team To Move To The Garden State: Report

PHILADELPHIA — Gov. Phil Murphy wants to convince the Philadelphia 76ers to make New Jersey their home, he told 6abc Action News.

The Sixers have been negotiating to develop a new arena in Center City, Philadelphia, for their home games. But the controversial plan has hit some roadblocks, including public backlash and concerns from city officials.

With the move to Center City up in the air, Murphy has approached Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — the Sixers ownership group — and lobbied for the team to compete in the Garden State.

"We've been observing the lack of progress in Philadelphia and we said, 'You know what, we're going to raise this with them,'" Murphy told Action News. "And we're serious about it and they seem to be serious about it."

The Sixers moved their corporate headquarters and practice facility to Camden in 2016. But it's unclear where the team would compete if it moved to the Garden State.

New Jersey hasn't had an NBA franchise since 2012, when the Nets moved from Newark to Brooklyn.

The Wells Fargo Center, where the Sixers currently play, is part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The South Philly complex features ample parking, while consolidating all home arenas of the city's major pro sports teams to one spot. But the location has been criticized for a lack of public-transit access.

In recent years, Sixers ownership has pushed to develop 76 Place, planning to privately fund the construction of a $1.3 billion arena on the site of Fashion District Philadelphia. Critics of the proposal have said bringing the team to the downtown location will create transportation headaches, decrease tax revenue and upend Chinatown, which is one block away.

The team's lease at the Wells Fargo Center, where the Flyers also compete, ends after the 2030-31 season.

A 76ers spokesperson told Action News that the franchise still has its eyes on Center City:

"We remain focused on bringing a state-of-the-art arena to Philadelphia as we have been for the last four years. We are hopeful to reach an agreement with the city this summer to ensure legislation is introduced in early September, which will allow the 76ers to open our new home in time for the 2031-32 NBA season."

It's unclear whether the Sixers are truly considering moving out of Philadelphia. But Girard Miller, a finance columnist for Governing, warns that pro teams sometimes explore relocation to secure public subsidies.

"Local public officials are trapped in a no-win situation," Miller said, "which pits their residents' love for local teams against the perverse economics of tax-privileged stadium financing."