76ers face major setback as they plan new arena in Center City

It’s been about a month since Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker announced that the Philadelphia 76ers are set to move into a new arena in Center City in 2032 and the reaction to the move has been polarizing to say the least. While there are plenty of supporters of the pending move, there is one particular group that is not pleased at the team’s decision.

A group of Philadelphia clergymen gathered last week to denounce the mayor’s agreement with the Sixers to build the new $1.55 billion complex on Market Street, titled 76 Place at Market East. Reverend Gregory Edwards, the Interim Executive Director of POWER Interfaith urged City Council to “slow their roll” and think long and hard about this decision and the effect it would have on residents. Edwards and company want lawmakers to do their due diligence on the project and the leaders warned that public trust in government could plummet if they do not do so.

Reverend Robin Hynicka, leader of the Arch Street United Methodist Church which is close in proximity to the proposed project, echoed that sentiment, stating ““We stand here today challenging the assumption that profit-driven projects should automatically be at the forefront of urban planning. Instead, we call for a democratic process and an economy that values people over profits,”.

76ers face setback on new arena plans

Legislation on the arena is expected to be officially introduced later this month by Councilmember Mark Squilla and the 76ers are looking for approval by the end of the year so that the arena can open on schedule for the start of the 2031-2032 season.

The current plans for 76 Place at Market East call for an arena with a capacity of 18,500 people located along the north side of Market Street between 10th and 11th Streets in Philadelphia. The development of the arena is being led by Sixers managing entity Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, which was co-founded by team owners Joshua Harris, and David Blitzer along with real estate developer David Adelman.

If all goes as expected, it will be the end of an era for the 76ers run in South Philadelphia that dates back to 1967 with the opening of The Spectrum. From there, the Sixers moved to what is now known as the Wells Fargo Center in 1996 and they will stay here until the end of their lease in 2031 with Comcast Spectacor. This will mark the first time that the Sixers have ownership and first priority of their own arena, as they have shared The Spectrum and Wells Fargo Center with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League.

Any time a team breaks tradition and moves away from the current complex, mixed emotions are to be expected from both fans and residents alike.  While some see 76 Place at Market East as a huge boost to the local economy, others, particularly community leaders have expressed concerns that it prioritizes corporate profits over the well being of local residents.

The upcoming legislation and subsequent discussions will prove to be critical in shaping the future of this project, and it remains to be seen whether the city's leaders will listen to the calls for a more community-centered approach. At the end of the day, the 76ers’ likely relocation marks the end of a long-standing tradition in South Philadelphia and ushers in a new era for the team—one that will forever change the fabric of the city’s sports landscape.