76ers Scrap Center City Arena Plan, Opt for South Philly Partnership with Comcast

The sudden pivot comes weeks after City Council approved a downtown arena, leaving Mayor Parker and others blindsided by the shift.

The Philadelphia 76ers have abandoned plans for a $1.3 billion Center City arena and will now partner with Comcast to build a new arena in South Philadelphia by 2031.
Mayor Cherelle Parker, who championed the downtown plan, expressed surprise at the decision, which some critics say undermines her administration's credibility.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver played a key role in brokering the deal between the 76ers and Comcast after years of escalating tensions between the two parties.
The new agreement includes a 50-50 joint venture between the 76ers and Comcast, with the latter also taking a minority stake in the team as part of the deal.
The shift raises questions about the future of Market East, as the city now faces pressure to revitalize the struggling commercial corridor without the arena project.