Jason Kelce Blasts 76ers Chinatown Arena Plans: ‘I Really Hate It’

On Thursday, Jason Kelce offered his opinion on the 76ers’ ongoing arena drama on the local 94WIP morning radio program.

“The ownership group isn’t Philadelphian,” Kelce said. “And now they’re forcing the city to do what this guy wants, and it sucks.”

In addition to pursuing the construction of a new arena downtown, close to the city’s Chinatown district, Sixers ownership has made overtures toward New Jersey in their desire to leave the south Philadelphia house they rent from Comcast Spectacor, the owner of the Flyers.

Jason Kelce’s full response to the new agreement to build a Sixers arena in Center City: “At the end of the day people are probably going to love it..But right now I really hate it.”

(@WIPMorningShow)

pic.twitter.com/M1uYBDFWgt https://t.co/FgBOmqkYYq

— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 19, 2024

Mayor of Philadelphia Cherelle Parker stated on Wednesday that although there has been strong local opposition, she supports the downtown plan. According to a study funded by the city, the downtown arena might gentrify the area and drive out locals, help just one in five small companies, and negatively impact the finances of half of them.

While Kelce acknowledges that many people would like a downtown arena, he has concerns about the way it’s all coming together.

“When it does get built in Center City and all of these people are displaced, at the end of the day, people are probably going to love it. In 10 years, all this is going to be different. And we’re probably going to be really happy that there’s this beautiful complex that was developed down there, and it’s a thriving part of the city. But right now,” Kelce said, “I really hate it.”

The former Eagles great declared that he “unquestionably” wanted the team to remain in South Philadelphia. He said that he was left with “scars” from the time that previous Browns owner Art Modell tried to use his position of power in Cleveland when he was a child in order to move the franchise to Baltimore and deny the Ohio city a football team for three years. He draws comparisons between it and the current events in Philadelphia.

To be clear, I would absolutely support the Sixers building their own arena in South Philadelphia. The renting thing isn’t fair to them, I just hate the strong arming of the city to force an inevitable move into an area that the local residents, and vast majority of… https://t.co/jJifC1XWip

— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) September 19, 2024

“I really have a strong disdain for the fact that this guy strong-armed the city by threatening to move them out of the city, and all of these people that have devoted all of their time, all of their efforts, all of their money, and a lifetime of fandom towards this team, and now you are going to strong-arm people, against what the city wants,” Kelce said. “I really have a hard time being O.K. with that; I’m not O.K. with it. I think it’s wrong.”

Kelce said the city is facing difficult circumstances. How do you go about doing this? Would you rather lose to the Sixers?

Apart from the potential relocation of Chinatown residents, Kelce said that the majority of fans would probably enjoy their time at the new arena. He declared, “It’s going to be fantastic; it’s going to be great.”

“I just don’t think that amount of disrespect towards the citizens that allow you to have these teams is appropriate,” Kelce said.

The municipal council still needs to vote on the plans for the new facility. In order to schedule the grand opening for 2031—the year that its lease at the Wells Fargo Center expires—the team has stated that it must receive approval by year’s end. CEO and head of Comcast Spectacor Dan Hilferty stated that the organization “will always be open for the 76ers” to remain in south Philadelphia.