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
Tyler Herro scored a game-high 25 points and Bam Adebayo tossed in 21 as the visiting Miami Heat extended their winning streak to six games by beating the Boston Celtics…
Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points and James Harden added 21 points, 10 assists and three blocked shots to help the Los Angeles Clippers post a 114-98 victory over the visiting…
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 as the Oklahoma City Thunder tied the franchise record for wins in a season with a 119-103 home win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. The…
Clippers handle Pelicans, forge 3-way tie for 6th in West
Thunder top Pistons to tie team record for wins (64) in season
Brice Williams nets 28 as Nebraska beats Georgetown in Crown
Spurs maintain lead to beat short-handed Nuggets