2020-21-22 Sixers Season

[el-pietro]

What actual reason is there for the Sixers to need their own building

To increase the value of the team for the owners.

[Dirk41]

This really summed up to me what I am feeling. Thanks for this.

Center City Philadelphia does not need this arena. I would venture that a lot of the people (not here) who are very excited for the ease of access have not taken Septa recently. It's an alternate universe. Septa took almost 20 years to get rid of tokens. Almost 5 years to get their key card to actually function. It's a ways away, but there is nothing that would suggest they are going to get BETTER in the time it would take for this.

[zambonir]

To increase the value of the team for the owners.

Haha fair enough. But that's not the part they say out loud. What is the case for the WFC being unsuitable or too old or putting them at a competitive disadvantage? And will they play the "we're moving to Newark" card if Philly isn't enthused.

It probably would make SEPTA better. State would probably look to build funding into the deal, even. But people who currently park at the complex aren't going to start taking the train.

[Philsmania]

To increase the value of the team for the owners.

Haha fair enough. But that's not the part they say out loud. What is the case for the WFC being unsuitable or too old or putting them at a competitive disadvantage? And will they play the "we're moving to Newark" card if Philly isn't enthused.

It probably would make SEPTA better. State would probably look to build funding into the deal, even. But people who currently park at the complex aren't going to start taking the train.

They might say "We're moving to Camden" though.

Septa has nine years to prepare for this. And, there are quite a few garages in Center City as well.

[andyb]

Center City Philadelphia does not need this arena.

Need is a tricky word here. If this is replacing an outdated mall and will bring more customers downtown it could very well revitalize that neighborhood. A basketball arena like this really does not need much parking and it could host multiple events. It probably is not a net winner for the city of Philadelphia because it is shifting the location of entertainment dollars, but it certainly would put customers in a neighborhood where there are more dining and drinking options. Probably more people choosing to live downtown too.

Have not used SEPTA much in recent years, but this could also spur them to improve. Public transportation took a hit in the pandemic but there is no reason we can't rethink some aspects now that we are coming out of it. Designing arenas to force more use of public transportation is actually a pretty good long term thing.

I think the arena can do well in that neighborhood and attract dollars to that neighborhood. South Philly and the stadium complex will take a hit, but that is not the concern of the Sixers.

[Philsmania]

With regard to "how will existing infrastructure handle so many people coming into town?", the Flower Show and the Auto Show at the Convention Center bring in upwards of 35k at their busiest times, about twice the number that a Sixers game will bring in. Center City can handle this.

[andyb]

The downtown arena here in DC has maybe 500 parking spots onsite. Commercial garages can handle a few thousand more. The rest is street parking from people who want to walk 6+ blocks and public transportation (3 metro lines converge). It works really well and the downtown location actually means that people come to the game over a 90-minute period meaning no real traffic jams beyond the normal rush hour.

This new location will also be a shorter ride on public transportation for many people as South Philly is the end of a subway line. This location is the middle so subway rides are shorter. Easier to get to from Jersey and 30th Street.

[schillingfan]

Need is a tricky word here. If this is replacing an outdated mall and will bring more customers downtown it could very well revitalize that neighborhood. A basketball arena like this really does not need much parking and it could host multiple events. It probably is not a net winner for the city of Philadelphia because it is shifting the location of entertainment dollars, but it certainly would put customers in a neighborhood where there are more dining and drinking options. Probably more people choosing to live downtown too.

I think the arena can do well in that neighborhood and attract dollars to that neighborhood. South Philly and the stadium complex will take a hit, but that is not the concern of the Sixers.

My daughter lives in Old City on Arch Street. She takes Septa to work down Arch and back up Market every day to work Since she moved I have driven through this area several times and she has pointed out the stores in the Fashion District IIRC the mall on Market is totally in a large commercial area. On Arch, there are lots of Chinese businesses and restaurants. I don’t think it would be displacing any small businesses or living spaces, except for the parking issue. It would have to go underground, I would think. But it’s a really easy Septa ride. The buses come every ten minutes on both Market and Arch.

[Dirk41]

How does she feel about her ride every day? That's an interesting one as it's parallel to the El which is, without hyperbole, a dystopian reality

[schillingfan]

She likes it fine. Since the bus comes every ten minutes it’s not a bad ride. She hates taking the train the the jail, but I don’t think that’s the trains fault. A car living downtown is an albatross.

[Philsmania]

She likes it fine. Since the bus comes every ten minutes it’s not a bad ride. She hates taking the train the the jail, but I don’t think that’s the trains fault. A car living downtown is an albatross.

That is one thing I point to when I say Philadelphia is a car town. Hardly anyone living in Manhattan had a car but it seems like most people living in Center City do.

[zambonir]

I lived in both Brooklyn and Manhattan with a car but a very long time ago, when paid garage parking was an option (one building had it included, another time it was affordable). I would find it hard to live in Philly without a car, but mostly for leaving town or going to the 'burbs or Lehigh Valley to see family. In NY the breadth of places you can get to on transit (whether the 5 boroughs or NJ/upstate) with frequency and minimal connections is much larger.

But can't imagine ever driving much within the city. Last time I was there I walked from Passyunk Square to CBP both ways.

Good column by Sielski here:

If the Sixers want to build a downtown arena, they and the city have to answer...

We try to envision the future based on the present, and that exercise is inherently fraught. We’re bound to be wrong. Crime in Philly is bad now, so don’t build the arena and Crime in Philly is bad now, but the arena will make things better and safer are opposite sides of the same coin of mystery and uncertainty.

In their previous arena/development proposal, at Penn’s Landing, the Sixers also said they would not use any city or state funding. But they did ask for $700 million in tax breaks. Under this new plan — as author Neil deMause already has raised — will managing partner Josh Harris and his team pay their full share of wage, property, and sales taxes?

What is the counterevidence that the Sixers might offer to the preponderance of research and literature that shows there’s little to no economic benefit to municipalities from building stadiums and arenas? Why should anyone think this trend will have reversed itself by 2031?

[Philsmania]

That Selieski article was a nothingburger to me. The future is unpredictable. Gee, you don't say.

Of all the major sports, basketball probably has the most urban following. Perhaps, it would make sense for a basketball team to embrace its city's center. Look at Detroit. For decades, the Pistons tried to get as far away from Detroit and its blight as possible, ultimately ending up in Auburn Hillls, 32 miles away. That would be like the Sixers building an arena in West Chester or Doylestown. Meanwhile, the Red WIngs with hockey's vanilla-white fan following stayed in Detroit. Ultimately, the Pistons rejoined them.

[Dirk41]

The most urban following and the most corporate of ticket holders

[BostonRoss]

Basketball also probably had a younger fan base (certainly compared to baseball). For a lot of older people, transit is harder and walking very far isn’t an option. Plus, many older people can park closer as they have handicapped placards.

[zambonir]

Will be interesting to see if Comcast really gets in the way. They'd probably do it pretty quietly.

Meet the billionaires behind the Sixers’ new arena plans — and another who may...

[VoteForKalas]

NBA opens potential tampering investigation into 76ers.

Supposedly has to do with the Harden contract and signings of Tucker & House

NBA opens investigation on 76ers: Source

[zambonir]

Could cost them a second rounder. A bit odd they are accused of tampering with their own player, but I get it. Knicks under investigation with Brunson too.

Last time:

Bulls, Heat lose second-round picks as "tampering" penalty for for Ball, Lowry...