It is no secret that the Philadelphia 76ers would prefer to set the terms for building their next home at a site of their own choosing. The team is doing everything it can to build a brand new arena in Chinatown, regardless of what the residents of the area think of the idea.
The latest gambit in that effort came last week when the Sixers announced that they had entered into discussion with the State of New Jersey to move the team to a proposed arena in Camden, where the team has its practice facility. Later reports put the state of Delaware and Gov. John Carney interested in joining the discussions.
This news was greeted by the Save Chinatown Coalition, a group of more than 245 organizations that oppose the Sixers efforts, with a proper measure of skepticism.
“Pitting cities against each other is a classic move to extort taxpayers for money and approvals,” the SCC said upon hearing the latest efforts.
The Sixers are a tenant in the South Philadelphia sports complex playing alongside the NHL Flyers, who own the building. The Sixers would much prefer playing in their own building. Threatening to move the team to New Jersey or Delaware is one way to leverage better terms or quicker government approvals for their preferred Chinatown site.
Save Chinatown Coalition’s Vivian Chang had helped lead a campaign that has successfully slowed the Chinatown proposal for the last 18 months. She has no illusions that the Sixers are looking elsewhere for their next home.
“Virtually every team trying to get an arena approved uses the same playbook, and threatens to leave,” Chang said. “Attempting to strong arm and bully Mayor Parker and City Council with threats like this is an ugly way to do business. Pitting cities against each other is a classic move to extort taxpayers for money and approvals. Don’t fall for it. Everyone loses in a race to the bottom, except Sixers ownership.”
