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Sixers seek benefits of being owner of an arena rather than tenant

The Sixers say their relationship with Comcast Spectacor, owner of the Wells Fargo Center, is fine. Eleven NBA teams share arenas with NHL teams.

The Wells Fargo Center opened in 1996, and Comcast Spectacor opted for a $250 million renovation in 2018 rather than build a new arena.
The Wells Fargo Center opened in 1996, and Comcast Spectacor opted for a $250 million renovation in 2018 rather than build a new arena.Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer

The 76ers’ desire to have their own arena should not come as a surprise. They would simply rather be an owner than a tenant.

They are a tenant at the Wells Fargo Center, which is owned by Comcast Spectacor. This week, The Inquirer reported that the Sixers are targeting Penn’s Landing for a potential new basketball arena.

It won’t be long before the 76ers know if their proposal to build a new arena will get the green light.

The Sixers said the desire to explore a new arena had nothing to do with their relationship with Comcast Spectacor.

“The 76ers have long enjoyed a strong relationship with Comcast Spectacor, but the organization is exploring all options for when its lease ends at Wells Fargo Center in 2031, including a potential arena development at Penn’s Landing,” a Sixers spokesperson said this week.

The team has to share the building with the Flyers, who are owned by Comcast Spectacor. A person familiar with the Sixers’ thinking said that these are among the key reasons for the Sixers to explore the opportunity to own their building:

  1. The Wells Fargo Center opened in 1996, and Comcast Spectacor opted for a $250 million renovation in 2018 rather than build a new arena. Despite the renovation, there is a question as to how much the arena will age in 11 years.

  2. Owning a building can open up more avenues for revenue, including booking concerts and other events. There would be revenue from naming rights.

  3. In owning their building, the Sixers would get the priority in scheduling their games.

Building an arena is expensive. The Sixers, according to Forbes’ 2020 ranking, are worth $2 billion. Having their own building, of course, will likely be contingent on how much taxpayer support the project receives. Little Caesar’s Arena, the home for both the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons, cost $863 million, according to the Detroit Free Press. It opened in 2017.

Eleven NBA teams share their arena with an NHL team.

Shared Arenas
Wells Fargo Center
NBA and NHL team
Sixers and Flyers
Shared Arenas
Madison Square Garden
NBA and NHL team
NY Knicks and Rangers
Shared Arenas
United Center
NBA and NHL team
Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks
Shared Arenas
TD Garden
NBA and NHL team
Boston Celtics and Bruins
Shared Arenas
Capital One Arena
NBA and NHL team
Washington Wizards and Capitals
Shared Arenas
Pepsi Center
NBA and NHL team
Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche
Shared Arenas
Staples Center
NBA and NHL team
Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers, Kings
Shared Arenas
Scotiabank Arena
NBA and NHL team
Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs
Shared Arenas
American Airlines Center
NBA and NHL team
Dallas Mavericks and Stars
Shared Arenas
Little Caesars Arena
NBA and NHL team
Detroit Pistons and Red Wings
Shared Arenas
*Barclays Center
NBA and NHL team
Brooklyn Nets, New York Islanders

*-The Islanders also played several games in 2019-20 at the Nassau Coliseum

Some iconic NBA franchises such as the Lakers and Celtics don’t own their buildings. And the Clippers are building an arena and moving out of the Staples Center when their lease expires in 2024.