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New Jersey leaders, backed by Gov. Murphy, push for Sixers arena project in Camden: report

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Updated  September 3, 2024 11:51am EDT
Philadelphia 76ers
FOX 29 Philadelphia

Camden 76ers? NJ leaders, backed by Gov. Murphy, push for Sixers arena project

New Jersey's push to bring the Sixers across the Delaware River comes as tense talks continue in Philadelphia over the team's desire to build a new arena in Chinatown.

The Brief

    • New Jersey leaders, with the support of Gov. Phil Murphy, have pitched a multi-billion dollar plan to bring the Sixers arena to the Camden Waterfront.
    • New Jersey's push to bring the Sixers across the Delaware River comes as tense talks continue in Philadelphia over the team's desire to build a new arena in Chinatown.
    • The Sixers' lease at the Wells Fargo Center will expire at the end of the 2030-2031 season.
    • Their practice facility is already located in Camden.

PHILADELPHIA - Leaders in New Jersey, backed by Gov. Phil Murphy, have proposed a multi-billion dollar project to bring the Sixers' arena to Camden, according to a new report.

When New Jersey and Camden leaders gaze at the lot north of the Ben Franklin Bridge, along Camden’s waterfront, they envision the Sixers playing a home game in front of thousands of screaming fans. Camden’s mayor could hardly contain his emotions while speaking about the proposal to FOX 29’s Jeff Cole Monday. Vic Carstarphen said, "It would be a generational investment in our community in so many ways."

New Jersey is staging a full court press to do just that.

Mayor Parker speaks out after 76ers NJ arena offer

Mayor Cherelle Parker makes it known she is opposed to the 76ers moving to Camden, New Jersey, but is not commenting on any negotiations involving the team and any new destination for them.

In a letter sent to the team Monday, the CEO of the state’s Economic Development Authority offers to work with the Sixers to build, "…a world class sports and entertainment arena to serve as the new home of 76ers." In Camden. Carstarphen said if that day were to ever happen, "For me it would put a smile on my face. Almost bring a tear to my eye."

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Sixers arena proposal: Mayor Parker and Chinatown Coalition discuss arena
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Sixers arena proposal: Mayor Parker and Chinatown Coalition discuss arena

A decision on the proposed new Sixers arena may be near as FOX 29's Jeff Cole breaks down a meeting between Mayor Parker and Chinatown Coalition that occurred Monday.

Jersey’s pitch to the Sixers, first reported by ROI-NJ, comes as the team’s proposed 18,500-seat arena, in Philadelphia’s Marker East neighborhood, on the edge of Chinatown, has met fierce opposition from some neighborhood groups, and a mixed review in newly released impact studies.

In a statement, a team spokesperson writes they are running out of time to open the 2031-32 season in a new home, "…As a result we must take all potential options seriously, including this one."

Mohan Seshadri, a member of the Save Chinatown Coalition opposed to the arena, said, "We see this for what it is. It’s a threat, it’s a gambit. It’s a trick - a ploy in order to get into a better negotiating position after a really bad week they had last week."

The Sixers already practice and have corporate offices in Camden lured there in part by state tax breaks. Jersey’s new bid includes up to $800 in tax credits for the arena, residential, retail and office space.

Now, the ball is in Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker’s hands, with the clock ticking. Parker said, back in June, the team had been emphatically clear about where they are. Adding, "I’m going to work with them to figure out how we get there." Last week, in a meeting with community and business leaders from Chinatown, meeting behind closed doors, participants said Parker told them she had not made up her mind on the arena.