The Philadelphia 76ers and their hopes for a new arena continue to be a pain point for the Philly City Council. On one hand, the city wants to retain the popular NBA team, but on the other hand, their preferred choice of location comes with a boatload of problems. And now, there is yet another complication that has arisen between Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s administration and the franchise.

The Sixers have long voiced their intention to build ’76 Place’ without the backing of city funds. Or if we were to simplify it further, taxpayer money. However, the latest update on the matter suggests otherwise. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the team has requested exactly this provision.

The Sixers’ new caveat further complicates matters for the building of their $1.3 billion arena

“The team is requesting that its deal with the city include a provision that could allow the 76ers to receive local taxpayer backing in the future, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. The provision would apply only in the event that the city subsidizes a different Philly sports facility after the proposed basketball arena gets approved, said the person,” the X account ‘Philly Sixers Galaxy’, tweeted. 

Basically, in the event that there happens to be a new sports facility built in the city sometime in the future and they request financial backing, which the Council approves, they would have to go back and pay the same amount to the Philadelphia 76ers as well. Councilmember Mark Squilla, who is a key figure in this proceeding, given that his district includes the proposed site, further detailed what it looks like.

“If somebody [like] Comcast wants to build a new arena [after the approval of 76 Place] and they say, we need $200 million — if we give them $200 million, then you have to go back and give the 76ers $200 million,” he said.

Squilla pointed out that he has yet to confirm if this is indeed a key factor in the negotiations. But the one thing the Councilman did say that the clause used here is that of “the most favored nation”. Now, you must understand that this is a concept originally used in international trade as a form of protection, you could say. It simply means that a country that is granted the MFN status would be treated favorably as other countries, be it in any area.

In the context of the Sixers, too, it works the same way. Essentially, any form of support, financial or otherwise, granted to another sports organization would have to be granted to the 76ers, as well. Of course, the sudden change in the stand has raised more than a few eyebrows. But the fact of the matter is that it comes in the wake of the continued efforts of New Jersey to get the Philly-based basketball franchise to move to Camden.

The Philadelphia 76ers have a suitor across the river more than willing to accommodate their wishes

By now, you might be aware that Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration have been consistent in their efforts to get the Sixers to move to Camden. The latest proposal they put forth was $400 million in tax credits, not to mention, the option to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars. It also laid out how New Jersey would “make land available on a former state prison site area that is adjacent to the Delaware River and north of the Ben Franklin Bridge.”

New Jersey is certainly pulling out all the stops! With such offers flowing from just 5 miles away, it is only natural that the Philadelphia 76ers would try to get a deal that would satisfy their original plan. However, just how practical the whole thing is going to be is up for debate. For one, community groups, like the ‘Save Chinatown Coalition’, continue to express strong opposition against building ’76 Place’ in the Fashion District/Chinatown.

Anyway, Philly (the team and the city) have to reach an agreement soon. If the Sixers plan to open the arena in time for the 2031-32 season, they have to start the construction soon. So, stay tuned for the updates on the matter.

 Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.