David Adelman relentlessly touted the Sixers’ Center City arena. Now he says South Philly plans will create a ‘better fan experience.’
David Adelman, lead developer of 76 Place, touted the downtown arena as the answer to Market East's commercial struggles. Now, that plan has slightly changed with the team staying in South Philly.
Almost two weeks ago, David Adelman said 2024 was a good year for him, his businesses, and Philadelphia.
And it sure seemed like it. During a sentimental New Year’s Eve post on X, the billionaire shared a video montage of his accomplishments including the plans for the 76ers’ Center City arena.
Adelman, the lead developer and negotiator of the team’s Center City arena proposal, appeared to have gotten everything he wanted in 2024. After more than two years, Philadelphia City Council gave final approval in late December for the 76ers to build a new $1.3 billion arena on Market Street, and the project had the coveted endorsement of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
But in a stunning twist, Adelman and his fellow billionaire owners of the 76ers have changed their tune by abandoning the deal to build a new arena downtown in favor of a 50-50 joint partnership with Comcast Spectator — the owner of the Philadelphia Flyers — to stay in South Philadelphia and build a new complex that’s slated to open in 2031.
Adelman, unsurprisingly one of the downtown arena’s biggest defenders, consistently promoted 76 Place at Market East as the much-needed antidote to energize and economically revitalize the area. At Parker’s news conference on Monday about the new deal (that still has to be renegotiated with the city), Adelman acknowledged the whiplash that some may feel.
“I’m sure it seems confusing that one day, we are celebrating City Council approving legislation for Market East arena, and a month later we’re here celebrating a new arena to keep the Sixers in the sports complex in South Philly,” Adelman said. “Though plans have changed, the one thing that has not changed is our commitment to do something good for the Sixers, our fans, and, most importantly, our city.”
As arena plans for the 76ers have shifted, so has Adelman’s messaging. Here’s what he’s said in the past.
A downtown arena could bring energy, jobs to Market East
One of Adelman’s go-to selling points for 76 Place was the economic and energy renaissance it could usher into Market East, a long-struggling commercial corridor that’s only been exacerbated by the recent news of Macy’s closing its store in the historic Wanamaker Building.
“The endorsement by Mayor Parker and subsequent approval of [76 Place] by City Council were critical steps forward – steps that can bring thousands of jobs and new energy to the heart of our city. But the work is far from over. We’re on the right path, and we’ll keep pushing to make this vision a reality,” Adelman said in his New Year’s Eve post.
In June, Adelman emphasized that 76 Place leaders “love Philly” and “want to play a key role in the revitalization of Center City.”
And in November 2023, Adelman, who is also the CEO of Campus Apartments and a part owner of the New Jersey Devils, saw 76 Place as a new and important direction for his career, a chance to give back to the city.
“That’s why developing 76 Place as a catalyst for positive change is so important to me,” Adelman said on X. “Not only do we have the opportunity to deliver the new home of the 76ers, but our private investment has the chance to stimulate the revitalization of a once-thriving part of town.”
The Sixers, including Adelman, have said they maintain their commitment to supporting revitalization on Market East even without an arena.
“Together, we will make Philadelphia proud, creating an even better fan experience, more jobs and economic development,” Adelman said at Monday’s news conference. “I assure you that in the end, we will not only feel proud but deeply gratified that we’ve contributed to restoring Market East to its former glory and building the best arena in the world.”
The Parker administration has not yet seen any specifics from either the team or Comcast on how they plan to revitalize Market East.
A representative for the 76ers deferred The Inquirer’s additional requests for comment to Monday’s news conference. Adelman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Feuding no more, Comcast and the 76ers work together
In the past, Adelman and the 76ers other billionaire owners — Josh Harris and David Blitzer — feuded with Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast, which owns Comcast Spectacor, after the Sixers announced their plans to leave South Philadelphia.
Comcast Spectacor vied for the team to stay in the stadium district, and part of their plea was a proposal for a $2.5 billion complete redevelopment of the area.
Adelman has publicly clashed with Daniel J. Hilferty, the president and CEO of Comcast Spectator.
“For months, [Comcast Spectacor] has been lurking in the shadows, hiding behind others, while it lobbies decision makers and twists arms to try to stop the [76ers] from building our own privately funded arena,” Adelman said on X in September 2023.
But on Monday, Adelman struck a different tone.
“Thank you to our new partners, Brian and Dan,” Adelman said. “I don’t think there’s anyone more surprised that we’re standing together today than me, but having been on the opposite team the past couple years, I can say that being on the same team is a much better feeling.”
The new joint partnership between the 76ers and Comcast also includes Comcast taking a minority stake in the basketball team and planning the retail and residential development of a new event complex in South Philly. Parker and Roberts compared it to The Battery Atlanta.
“We learned that no matter how careful and thoughtful we are, there will always be opposing ideas and a desire to maintain the status quo,” Adelman said Monday. “That is not something I or any of my partners take for granted.”
Adelman once said the 76ers would be gone from South Philly in 2031
Adelman once said the project — which he called “a f—ing no-brainer” in June — would have the 76ers saying their goodbyes to South Philadelphia in 2031 no matter what.
Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district represents where the Market East arena would have been, believed that statement to be true, The Inquirer reported in July.
“Originally, I was skeptical,” Squilla said, but “after multiple conversations, and seeing the resources being spent, I don’t believe they’ll be back to South Philadelphia.”
Going back to the Wells Fargo Center was always off the table for Adelman. The 76 Place X account claimed in November 2023 that 50% of arena visitors would use public transportation or walk to get to a downtown arena, “more than double” of visitors who take public transit or walk to get to the Wells Fargo Center.
While it’s true that the 76ers won’t be staying at the Wells Fargo Center when their lease is up, the team will still find itself in South Philly.