At a Lower Bucks County event Tuesday morning, Gov. Josh Shapiro stated he wanted the Philadelphia 76ers to remain in Pennsylvania.
Shapiro’s comments came in response to a question from Penn-Capital Star reporter John Cole about a report that New Jersey officials were trying to lore the basketball team to Camden.
The Democratic governor, a basketball fan himself, said team owner Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment wants to remain in the city, as evidenced by them proposing a stadium and mixed-use development in Chinatown near Center City.
“I love the Sixers and they belong in Philadelphia … and they shouldn’t go anywhere,” he said.
Shapiro said he was letting Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and her administration lead negotiations with Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment.
He said: “I believe that Philadelphia is the exact right place for the Sixers to remain, and it’s clear that that is what they want, and I know that the mayor is working toward meeting that goal and keeping the Sixers here.”
On Monday evening, it was reported by business news outlet ROI-NJ that New Jersey’s pitch includes transforming a former riverfront prison site in Camden into a sprawling mixed-use development featuring residential units, office spaces, retail areas, and a new arena for the 76ers. Located near the base of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, the site would offer scenic views of the Delaware River and Philadelphia skyline.
The offer also includes eligibility for two $400 million tax credits, the report said.
The proposal from the Garden State is being supported by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and Trenton lawmakers.
Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment has proposed a self-financed stadium project in Philadelphia.
Shapiro noted that the company has not requested state funds from Pennsylvania, nor has he offered any.
The controversy surrounding the proposed Chinatown location for the new 76ers’ stadium, known as 76 Place, includes concerns over potential disruption to the neighborhood, increased traffic, and other impacts.
A 76ers’ spokesperson stated that the team ownership would review the New Jersey proposal, according to the Philadelphia Metro.
The team has existing ties to Camden where their office and practice facility are currently situated.
According to ROI-NJ, the 76ers would need to begin construction by 2025 to relocate from their existing venue at Wells Fargo Stadium in Philadelphia by the early 2030s.
