76ers 'Seriously' Considering Move To Camden

CAMDEN, NJ — The 76ers will "seriously" consider building a home arena in Camden after state officials outlined a move to that city that would include nearly $1 billion in incentives for the NBA franchise, a team spokesperson told Patch.

The arena would be part of a redevelopment project that state officials outlined Monday in a letter to Sixers ownership. Under the proposal, the arena would help revamp the site of a former state prison, just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge, according to the letter, which Patch obtained, from the CEO of the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

The Sixers have been negotiating to develop a new arena in Center City, Philadelphia, for their home games. But the project, entitled 76 Place at Market East, has hit roadblocks, including backlash from city residents and skepticism from local officials.

With the move now up in the air, Gov. Phil Murphy has been trying to convince Philadelphia's team to develop a new arena in the Garden State. The team is seeking a new arena for when their lease expires at Wells Fargo Center following the 2030-31 NBA season.

On Monday, NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan proposed a "large-scale" redevelopment that would bring the Sixers' new arena to Camden. Sullivan says that the NJEDA could secure $400 million in tax incentives and would work with the State Legislature on structuring $500 million in government bonds.

The NJEDA, a government entity, develops public-private partnerships to encourage development in the state. Gov. Phil Murphy is among several state officials copied onto the letter sent to Tad Brown, CEO of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Sixers.

A spokesperson for the Sixers confirmed that ownership received the letter and told Patch the following:

"We appreciate Governor Murphy and the NJEDA for presenting a thoughtful and compelling vision for the revitalization and economic growth of Camden, a city we are already committed to through our Training Complex. We have worked tirelessly for the past five years to build an arena in Philadelphia and negotiations remain ongoing with city leadership regarding our proposal at Market East. The reality is we are running out of time to reach an agreement that will allow the 76ers to open our new home in time for the 2031-32 NBA season. As a result, we must take all potential options seriously, including this one."

76 Place, as proposed, would bring a privately funded $1.3 billion arena to 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.

If Sixers ownership decided to build in Camden instead, the NJEDA could net two awards totaling $400 million in tax credits — one for the arena and its ancillary infrastructure, such as parking, and the other for broader development of homes, retail and offices in the neighborhood.

"(Tax credits) supporting development of arena would be subject to a standard Net Benefit Test, ensuring that NewJersey taxpayers are more than paid back for their investment via incremental state, county and local tax revenues,” Sullivan wrote.

The $500 million in bonds would be supported by fees and surcharges on tickets, concessions and parking, with no impact on state taxpayers, according to Sullivan.

The Sixers moved their corporate headquarters and practice facility to Camden in 2016.

Read the letter below: