Could it be game over for New Jersey just yet? The state’s hope of bringing the NBA 76er’s to a new arena on the Camden waterfront may be crushed after Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced a deal with the professional team to keep the basketball team in the city of Brotherly Love. The mayor also noted that the plans include building a $1.3 billion sports arena.
“I have made my decision, and an agreement has been reached to ensure that our Sixers are staying home,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in her announcement.
However, the mayor’s plans have received pushback and criticism from residents and activists of Philadelphia’s Chinatown, who have felt the pressure of development over the last few decades.
“I wholeheartedly believe this is the right deal for the People of Philadelphia,” Parker said. “To the People of Chinatown, please know that I hear you. We have the best Chinatown in the United States, and I am committed to working together to support it. I’ll have a lot more to say in a formal presentation coming soon.”
The mayor’s announcement comes weeks after New Jersey offered the NBA team hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives to build the site in Camden. Reports indicated that the team was “seriously considering” the move.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority released a rendering of a proposed arena, which sparked a cross-river battle. New Jersey is down, but not necessarily out as the project still faces several hurdles and needs approval from Philadelphia’s City Council.
