The Philadelphia 76ers are abandoning plans to construct a controversial new arena in the Chinatown section of the city, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sunday.
The decision was a surprise, coming weeks after the city council voted to approve the NBA team’s move.
The Inquirer cited multiple council members as confirming the Sixers’ change in plans. A team spokesperson did not answer requests for comment.
The Sixers wanted to move from the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia to a new, $1.3 billion arena in downtown Philly. The team currently shares the Wells Fargo Center with the NHL’s Flyers, and it’s on the same tract of land as the homes of the NFL’s Eagles and Major League Baseball’s Phillies.
The plan was for the arena to open by 2031. But Chinatown residents and activists protested.
Instead, the Sixers are working with the owners of the Wells Fargo Center, Comcast Spectacor, to plan to build a new arena in South Philadelphia, according to the Inquirer.
Sixers coach Nick Nurse commented on the news before the team played a road game at the Orlando Magic on Sunday evening.
“I always said this when I used to come to play the Sixers and didn’t quite get why where the stadiums were and why they are all out there together,” Nurse said. “But now that you are there, it’s a pretty cool setup. Philadelphians love it, and they’re really used to it.”
The 76ers still plan to bid for a WNBA expansion team despite the arena plans changing, the Inquirer reported.
–Field Level Media
