76ers ‘seriously’ considering moving to site of former NJ prison

The state of New Jersey is making another push to convince the 76ers to cross the Ben Franklin Bridge and call Camden their next home — the 76ers are taking the offer “seriously.”

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority made another pitch to Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, the owners of the Sixers, showing that it is “committed to bringing the 76ers to Camden.” 

The potential arena would be built on the site of the former Riverfront State Prison that sits near the Delaware River, north of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

The state envisions the project as a “mixed-use development.” 

As part of the letter, which was first reported on by ROI-NJ and posted online by CBS New Philadelphia, the NJEDA wrote that the project could be eligible for up to $900 million in economic incentives.

The push comes as the 76ers have faced backlash over their proposed arena plan in the city of Philadelphia and as the team awaits a decision by the city council on the proposal, which could come this fall. 

In a statement Tuesday, the 76ers said they “appreciate” the effort to present a “thoughtful and compelling vision.” 

“We have worked tirelessly for the past five years to build an arena in Philadelphia and negotiations remain ongoing with city leadership regarding our proposal at Market East,” the statement read. “The reality is we are running out of time to reach an agreement that will allow the 76ers to open our new home in time for the 2031-32 NBA season. As a result, we must take all potential options seriously, including this one.”

The Sixers already have a footprint in Camden, with the team’s offices and practice facility opening there in 2016.

They’d join the Jets, Giants and Red Bulls as professional sports teams that represent another state but reside in New Jersey — if they made the move. 

The Flyers’ practice facility is also in New Jersey, less than 13 miles away from Camden in Voorhees.

The 76ers’ lease at the Wells Fargo Center runs through 2031, which is why the team is eying a new arena to be ready for the following season.

The slower pace with their center city proposal has allowed other municipalities to try and move in to persuade the team to go elsewhere. 

“Bringing the 76ers to the Camden waterfront would be a game-changer for the city of Camden and the state of New Jersey, and we strongly support Gov. [Phil] Murphy’s efforts to pursue this once-in-a-generation opportunity,” said New Jersey State Senate President Nick Scutari, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, Sen. Paul Sarlo and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald in a joint statement to ROI-NJ.