Full-court press from NJ officials to lure Philadelphia 76ers arena project to Camden

CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — While the Philadelphia 76ers continue working on building a new arena near the city’s Chinatown, New Jersey officials are reaching in for a steal, trying to make Camden an attractive alternative.

The proposal from New Jersey includes up to $800 million in Aspire tax credits for the team to build a mixed-use arena, including retail and housing, on the waterfront in North Camden, at the site of a former prison.

“It opens up so many other expansive opportunities for our community and residents, being jobs, you know, housing,” said Mayor Vic Carstarphen. He says such a project would be transformative for his city.

“You know it’s exciting to have that conversation, and I think it will be a generational change for Camden. And you know the Sixers have been incredible partners , community partners .”

The Sixers practice facility is already in Camden. It opened in 2016 and it, too, was pitched as a project to help revitalize the city.

However, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro says it’s clear to him that the team wants to keep their arena in Philadelphia. He says state funding wasn’t offered to or requested by the team, which he thinks is a sign of their commitment.

“They plan to invest their own money in building this arena. … And I believe Philadelphia is the exact right place for the Sixers,” Shapiro said.

“I recognize Jersey may want to try to entice them to move across the river, but the Sixers shouldn’t go anywhere.”

The team sent KYW Newsradio a statement saying the vision offered by Gov. Phil Murphy and his economic development team is thoughtful and compelling, but they have been focused on building near Chinatown for five years and continue working toward that goal. However, they acknowledge the shot clock is ticking. They want a new home by the 2031-32 season and, until plans are finalized to build in Philly, they must seriously consider other options, including the Camden proposal.