New Jersey makes ‘serious push’ for Philadelphia 76ers relocation to new arena as plans outlined for $1.3b project
NEW Jersey officials have launched an audacious shot to lure the Philadelphia 76ers to the Garden State.
As part of the plans, a state-of-the-art waterfront arena will be built in Camden, where the 76ers already have team offices and a practice facility.
Discussions between leading New Jersey state officials and 76ers parent company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment have been ongoing for the last two months, per ROI-NJ.
The 76ers currently have plans to build a new arena in Downtown Philadelphia once their lease at Wells Fargo Center ends in 2031.
But the proposed $1.3 billion property development has been met with huge opposition from a number of groups over fears it will lead to gentrification and displacement.
There are also concerns the self-funded project will lead to traffic and congestion.
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Amid these huge roadblocks, a move to New Jersey is being considered – although it could be a bargaining ploy.
There are deep ties between the 76ers and New Jersey.
The team has a practice facility in the state, while parent company HBSE owns the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center in Newark.
Publicly, the 76ers are committed to building a new stadium in Philadelphia.
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“We remain focused on bringing a state-of-the-art arena to Philadelphia, as we have been for the last four years,” a spokesperson said.
The 76ers, though, are running out of time to build a new arena for the 2031-32 season.
Construction would likely need to begin in 2025 for a new facility, wherever it may be located.
“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 season,” the spokesperson added.
A spokesperson for the city of Camden said it was "open to new opportunities" for property development.
“The 76ers are fully engaged in Camden’s unprecedented revitalization and have been incredible community partners since moving here,” a statement read.
“The city is always open to new opportunities and the potential for new projects, and, of course, any development would need to be a collaborative effort with the community.
“We are grateful to Gov. Murphy and the EDA for advancing economic growth throughout the state while focusing on Camden as a prime location for these efforts.”
New Jersey hasn't had an NBA franchise since the Nets moved to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season.
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Per Spotrac
David Adelman, the chairman for 76 Place, recently defended plans for the proposed downtown arena.
"The goal here is that 76 Place becomes a catalyst for other development on Market East," he told NBC10.
"We will not displace one business or one resident. We are taking a box and building another box.
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"I’ve had 130 plus meetings with many with different groups in Chinatown, so, we’ve heard lots of different things.
"We’ve also heard from people in Chinatown who are for the project, who think it will bring in economic energy that’s needed post-COVID."