Philadelphia 76ers To Stay In South Philly

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly staying in South Philadelphia, abandoning the controversial plan to construct an arena in the city's bustling Chinatown neighborhood.

According to Comcast and Sixers owner Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, the team will move forward with a new arena in South Philadelphia's sports complex area instead of constructing a new arena in Center City, which was to be called 76 Place.

The two business entities Monday announced a binding agreement to form a 50-50 joint venture to build a new arena in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex that will be the new home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.

This new arena is expected to open in 2031, however officials said it could open sooner.

Officials claim the new arena will be "the finest, most technologically advanced, and sustainable sports and entertainment arenas in the country."

Comcast will have the naming rights to the venue.

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Comcast will also immediately focus on Market East, bringing together government officials and local stakeholders to develop a variety of options to revitalize a vital neighborhood in Center City where the 76ers had originally proposed locating the arena

The announcement also included news that Comcast is planning to take a minority stake in the 76ers and will join with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment in a bid to bring a WNBA team to the city.

City officials are expected to shed more light on the development at a news conference Monday morning.

The controversial arena plans were OKed by the Philadelphia City Council on Dec. 19. The council's meeting was marked with protesters, jeering, and cheering as members of the public spoke, some expressing disdain for the plan and others supporting it.