* -- PROCESSING Your Philadelphia 76ers -- *

Cliffy6745 · January 12

Staying in South Philly. Probably the right decision but what a waste of time and money

Sounds like it will be a new arena in south Philly

Jearlpam0925 · January 12

Felt like this was the deal from the beginning, this was all negotiation tactics:

Skip to content

PHLY Sports

Default image

New Sixers arena deal agreed to with Comcast, team stays in South Philly

Kyle Neubeck Avatar

Kyle Neubeck

Less than an hour ago

USATSI 24662363 168402591 lowres

Nov 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris looks on during the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

After getting City Council approval in December for a new Sixers arena stationed on Market Street, the Sixers have pivoted, agreeing to a massive deal with Comcast to build a new arena in South Philadelphia.

There is still a lot of information to be filled in, with a press conference expected to take place at City Hall sometime on Monday. In the meantime, here are a few broader points to chew on after speaking with sources familiar with the situation.

The agreement between the Sixers and Comcast will bring a new arena to South Philly, but also includes a partnership for a, “revitalization project at Market East” as part of the deal. The Sixers previously had plans for an arena and supplemental real estate projects at and around that site adjacent to Chinatown.

The specifics of the Market East project are as yet unknown, and are expected to be hashed out between the Sixers, Comcast, and city officials sometime in the coming months

Conversations between the franchise and Comcast picked back up around the holidays, following the formal approval of the Market Street plan in mid-December.

My best understanding of the agreement is that the Sixers and Comcast will have a true 50/50 partnership on the arena, which was a big sticking point for the Sixers previously. The Sixers have been operating as tenants under Comcast since new ownership came aboard, and have complained in the past about the impact this has had on their financial upside and event planning.

Other reports have circulated suggesting that commissioners from multiple sports leagues were involved in the discussions between the two parties.

While I can’t speak to the NFL side of the story here, a source familiar with the situation noted that NBA commissioner Adam Silver was interested in repairing the relationship between the Sixers and one of the league’s biggest media partners. My best understanding of his role is that he did not put his proverbial thumb on the scale, but Silver was actively monitoring the situation as one might expect.

(This is purely speculation on my part, but for anyone interested in a WNBA team coming to Philadelphia, this does seem to open the door for an arrival sooner rather than later. In a world where the Sixers were leaving as tenants and building their own project 6.5 years down the road, a new arrival probably couldn’t have come until at least 2031. Now, with the Sixers and Comcast back on good terms, there would seem to be a world where a new team could play their opening games at Wells Fargo Center and then move along with the Sixers and Flyers following the completion of the new arena.)

As more details come in, we’ll update this space with pertinent information.

This story is developing…

Comments

Share your thoughts

Join the conversation

Open comments +

Scroll to next article

PHLY Newsletter

Get Philly's Best Sports Content In Your Inbox!

Email *

Email Address

All content included on this site is and shall continue to be the property of ALLCITY Network Inc. or its content suppliers and is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and other proprietary rights. PHLY, the PHLY design marks, DIEHARD, ALLCITY NETWORK, and the ALLCITY NETWORK design marks are registered trademarks owned and controlled by ALLCITY Network Inc. This list is not exhaustive and ALLCITY Network Inc. does not waive its rights in regard to other trademarks not listed.

About

Advertisers

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

SUPPORT

CONTACT US

help@allphly.com

cutz · January 12

When is the estimated Date for opening?

Will The Center come down? (For parking?)

I thought I read they were going to put a 4,000-5,000 Venue there too? or was that just "talk."?

Cliffy6745 · January 12

I think the only think we know is that the Wells Fargo center will be coming down. There were plans for a huge development down there. Am sure at least some of that will happen

PureandEasy · January 12

WTF??? After all the years, the protests, the debates, the studies. Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was a bad idea to begin with, but now to back out after the city approved it.

The city should sue the ‘76ers for all the money spent.

It appears to have been a cat and mouse game with Comcast (or whoever), never a serious consideration on behalf of the Sixers to move to center city.

Shameful. Disgraceful. Disgusting. I don't even live in Philly but this is a slap in the face. They got what they wanted at the expense, anguish and fear of many local residents, shop owners, retailers.

eeriepadave · January 13

Cliffy6745 said:

I think the only think we know is that the Wells Fargo center will be coming down. There were plans for a huge development down there. Am sure at least some of that will happen

Why? it's still relatively "new". It's in pretty decent condition I thought.

Also if it does come down will Pearl Jam play a 4 night run there to close it out?

The Juggler · January 13

I was looking forward to the Center City location...but, alas, this is Philadelphia after all.

Something tells me a lot of the people mad about 76 Place will still find a way to be mad about this.

I am probably in the minority, but this massive redevelopment stuff they are talking about building in the sports complex sounds awful. Overpriced everything, worse parking, worse traffic.

The Juggler · January 13

eeriepadave said:

Cliffy6745 said:

I think the only think we know is that the Wells Fargo center will be coming down. There were plans for a huge development down there. Am sure at least some of that will happen

Why? it's still relatively "new". It's in pretty decent condition I thought.

Also if it does come down will Pearl Jam play a 4 night run there to close it out?

It's part of the deal they agreed to with staying.

This is America, Dave. We do not preserve our old buildings. Most of the arenas built in the 90's have either been replace or are being talked about being replaced in the coming years.

Johnny Abruzzo · January 13

The Juggler said:

eeriepadave said:

Cliffy6745 said:

I think the only think we know is that the Wells Fargo center will be coming down. There were plans for a huge development down there. Am sure at least some of that will happen

Why? it's still relatively "new". It's in pretty decent condition I thought.

Also if it does come down will Pearl Jam play a 4 night run there to close it out?

It's part of the deal they agreed to with staying.

This is America, Dave. We do not preserve our old buildings. Most of the arenas built in the 90's have either been replace or are being talked about being replaced in the coming years.

Yeah they'll probably want a new football stadium soon too.

Cliffy6745 · January 13

The Juggler said:

eeriepadave said:

Cliffy6745 said:

I think the only think we know is that the Wells Fargo center will be coming down. There were plans for a huge development down there. Am sure at least some of that will happen

Why? it's still relatively "new". It's in pretty decent condition I thought.

Also if it does come down will Pearl Jam play a 4 night run there to close it out?

It's part of the deal they agreed to with staying.

This is America, Dave. We do not preserve our old buildings. Most of the arenas built in the 90's have either been replace or are being talked about being replaced in the coming years.

This will make us all feel old, buuuutt

Spectrum 1967-2009 = 42
WF Center - 1996-2031 = 35

Sooo, not that much of a difference when all is said and done and yeah, these things seem to turn over more quickly.

Biggest question...how much longer does the Linc have?

Johnny Abruzzo · January 13

Spectrum stayed standing for 42 years but they stopped playing major league sports there in 1996 (Flyers closed out The Spectrum with an ignominious double OT loss to the Florida Panthers in the 2nd round of the playoffs), so actually a shorter amount of time than the place named after banks.

But by all means, yes let's get another building closing Pearl Jam run!

Jearlpam0925 · January 13

Lol that's the thing, rumor is Birds want a dome

The Juggler · January 13

Wells Fargo Center is basically as old as the Vet was when it was demolished

eeriepadave · January 13

Cliffy6745 said:

The Juggler said:

eeriepadave said:

Cliffy6745 said:

I think the only think we know is that the Wells Fargo center will be coming down. There were plans for a huge development down there. Am sure at least some of that will happen

Why? it's still relatively "new". It's in pretty decent condition I thought.

Also if it does come down will Pearl Jam play a 4 night run there to close it out?

It's part of the deal they agreed to with staying.

This is America, Dave. We do not preserve our old buildings. Most of the arenas built in the 90's have either been replace or are being talked about being replaced in the coming years.

This will make us all feel old, buuuutt

Spectrum 1967-2009 = 42
WF Center - 1996-2031 = 35

Sooo, not that much of a difference when all is said and done and yeah, these things seem to turn over more quickly.

Biggest question...how much longer does the Linc have?

Doesn't seem that old. Still think it's in decent shape, but what do i know?

Linc and CBP maybe about 20 years?

eeriepadave · January 16

no Embiid again tonight Pearl-Jam-Smileys

Has he played 10 games this season yet?

Wobbie · January 17

eeriepadave said:

no Embiid again tonight
Has he played 10 games this season yet?

you ain’t gonna be seeing him for awhile.

eeriepadave · January 22

Jearlpam0925 said:

eeriepadave said:

time to jump back on the bandwagon?

It's such a long season, and you're welcome anytime.

ok i'm jumping back off

Johnny Abruzzo · January 22

I'd say the tank watch is on.

Poncier · January 22

Johnny Abruzzo said:

I'd say the tank watch is on.

You'll never catch The Bullets. They're on a historic pace.

Wobbie · January 22

Johnny Abruzzo said:

I'd say the tank watch is on.

trust the process.

*** -- PROCESSING Your Philadelphia 76ers -- ***

Comments

Categories

* -- PROCESSING Your Philadelphia 76ers -- *