76ers Reach Agreement In Philly: What Does It Mean For NJ?

CAMDEN, NJ — An agreement was announced Wednesday to bring the 76ers' new home arena to downtown Philadelphia, possibly thwarting New Jersey's push to bring the team's home games to Camden.

The 76ers and Philadelphia officials reached an agreement to keep the team in the city, said Mayor Cherelle Parker, who called it the "best financial deal ever entered into by a Philadelphia mayor for a local sports arena."

For several years, team ownership has been pushing a controversial proposal to develop a new arena in Center City, where the team would compete after the 2030-31 season, when their lease at Wells Fargo Center expires. As the Sixers faced public backlash and uncertainty from public officials, New Jersey leaders tried to lure the team to Camden.

Sixers ownership was "seriously" considering the proposal, which included hundreds of millions in tax breaks if the team moved to New Jersey, a team spokesperson told Patch earlier this month.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority, which led the push to bring the Sixers arena to Camden, shared a rendering last week of the proposed redevelopment by the Ben Franklin Bridge.

The agreement with Philadelphia officials puts the team back on track to stay in the City of Brotherly Love. But the plan will still need approval from Philadelphia's City Council, and its unclear when the governing body might vote on the matter.

Parker did not disclose the precise terms of the agreement.

It's unclear where New Jersey officials might go from here. Patch contacted spokespeople for Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority but did not immediately receive responses.