Sixers-Flyers vibrant venue-mixed-use plans



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New 76ers arena in South Philadelphia Image: New Jersey Economic Development Authority

The industry-leading sports and entertainment group Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and the global media and technology company Comcast recently announced that the HBSE and the Comcast Spectacor (innovative leader in sports and entertainment) have entered into a binding agreement to form a 50-50 joint venture (JV) to build a world-class, state-of-the-art arena in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex (US) that will be the new home of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Philadelphia 76ers and the National Hockey League (NHL) team Philadelphia Flyers.

‘COMCAST’ stated that slated to open in 2031 with the potential to accelerate to an earlier date the new facility will be one of the finest, most technologically advanced and sustainable sports and entertainment arenas in the United States. In addition, the partnership will include a 50-50 venture to invest in the revitalization of the Market East in Center City.

Founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer in 2017, Camden (US)-based the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) is an industry-leading sports and entertainment group with a focus on building passionate, high-performing teams that strengthen the communities. As proud stewards of some of the world’s most prestigious franchises, brands and properties the HBSE is committed to using its platform to positively impact the local communities where its teams play and perform.

Philadelphia (US)-based the Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms they provide to the content and experiences they create the Comcast businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers and guests worldwide.

The Comcast Spectacor, a proven, innovative leader in sports and entertainment, is part of the Comcast Corporation. Headquartered in Philadelphia (US), the Comcast Spectacor owns and operates the Wells Fargo Center, a world-class sport and entertainment venue in Philadelphia as well as a diverse portfolio of professional sports teams and entertainment entities.

The Philadelphia 76ers, also known colloquially as the Sixers, is an American professional basketball team based in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area (US). The 76ers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia (US). The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference.

The 21,000-capacity Wells Fargo Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Philadelphia (US). It serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

‘COMCAST’ further stated that by committing to both investments the partnership will create thousands of jobs, generate billions of dollars in economic activity for the City, the region and the State and enhance commitments to create economic opportunity in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. In addition, Comcast is planning to take a minority stake in the 76ers and will join with the HBSE to bid to bring a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA – a women’s professional basketball league based in the United States) team to the City.

Remarked Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and head honcho, Comcast Corporation, “This is great news for Philadelphia and the fans of our storied sports franchises. We are grateful to Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia, and Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania, for their leadership and are thrilled to work together to develop the premier sports and entertainment destination in the United States that will benefit the region for decades to come.”

Added HBSE’s Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman, “From the start we envisioned a project that would be transformative for our City and deliver the type of experience our fans deserve. By coming together with Brian and Comcast this partnership ensures Philadelphia will have two developments instead of one, creating more jobs and real, sustainable economic opportunity. This is a massive win for our fans and for the City.”

Exulted Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, “The above development is great news for the City of Philadelphia. I greatly appreciate the leadership of Mayor Parker and Governor Shapiro and the willingness of HBSE and Comcast to join forces the result of which will be a world-class arena for the 76ers and the Flyers fans with opportunities for more teams to come.”

Enthused Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner, “We’re thrilled to see Comcast Spectacor and HBSE unite to deliver a new state-of-the-art arena in South Philadelphia. For the past 58 years, in both the Spectrum and Wells Fargo Center, those arenas and Flyers’ fans have consistently produced an atmosphere that is among the best in sports. This visionary and forward-looking facility will take the fan experience to a whole new level where the great pride and passion of the Philadelphia sports fans will continue to be on full display.”

The new arena partnership is a joint venture with equal Board representation and a HBSE representative serving as the Chair. Comcast will have the naming rights to the venue. The HBSE and Comcast will also immediately focus on Market East (a neighborhood which serves as gateway to the Philadelphia’s business, shopping and entertainment district) bringing together the Government officials and the 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.

Asserted Dan Hilferty, Chairman-cum-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Comcast Spectacor, “We firmly believe we are better working together for Philadelphia. This new arena will complement other exciting developments in the area including Comcast Spectacor’s and the Philadelphia Phillies’ plans to create the country’s top sports and entertainment district. We will all work closely together to create an unmatched experience for the fans while developing a vibrant mixed-use district that serves our community.”

New York (US)-based the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America composed of 30 teams. The NBA is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada and is considered the premier professional basketball league in the world.

New York (US)-based the National Hockey League (NHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams – 25 in the United States and 7 in Canada.

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