Can New Jersey Lure the 76ers Away From Philadelphia?

The 76ers' time in Philadelphia might be running out, especially with a neighboring state heating up its pursuit.

According to a report from ROI-NJ, the state of New Jersey has ramped up its efforts to persuade the franchise to move out of the City of Brotherly Love. State officials are discussing a new home for the team across the Delaware River in Camden, where the 76ers already have team offices and a practice facility, which opened in 2016.

The 76ers play at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia, with their lease set to expire following the 2030-31 season. If New Jersey were to land the team, a new arena would need to be ready for the 2031-32 campaign.

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the 76ers, has been looking to self-finance a new $1.3 billion arena in Center City Philadelphia, about six miles north of the Wells Fargo Center. However, negotiations with state officials and other leaders have hit roadblocks, opening the door for New Jersey.

Despite this, team officials said they wish to remain in the city the franchise has called home since it relocated from Syracuse in 1963.

“We remain focused on bringing a state-of-the-art arena to Philadelphia, as we have been for the last four years,” a spokesperson said, per ROI-NJ.

New Jersey hasn't had a basketball franchise since the Nets moved to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season. If talks between the 76ers and Philadelphia break down, it would present a huge opportunity for New Jersey to swoop in and bring basketball back to the state.

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