While star player Joel Embiid works to overcome an injury, the team’s plans for a new arena have transformed into a political controversy.
Photo Credit: DALL-E
By Ryan Wolff
The Philadelphia 76ers are at a crossroads, grappling with challenges on and off the court that could shape the franchise’s future. On one hand, the team faces scrutiny for its management of Joel Embiid, their injury-prone star and reigning NBA MVP, whose limited availability has sparked an NBA investigation and criticism from fans and pundits alike. On the other hand, the Sixers are embroiled in a heated debate over their proposed move to a new arena in Center City—a project that has divided the Philadelphia community, with promises of economic revitalization clashing against fears of gentrification and cultural loss in Chinatown.
The Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated by the rival New York Knicks in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Their attempt to clear up fans’ doubts and improve so far this season has been derailed by on-court and off-court issues.
The Sixers are under investigation for their strict load management of Star player and 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid. Embiid’s injury history is long and includes a fractured foot that led him to miss the entirety of the 2014-2016 seasons, a torn meniscus that led him to miss most of 2017, and another torn meniscus in January of 2024. This is just a fraction of his many injuries.
Though Embiid has played in two games for the 76ers this season, he did compete in the Summer 2024 Olympic Games, playing in five of six games and scoring 11.2 points per game with a shooting percentage of 56.8%. The juxtaposition between Embiid competing in the Olympic games and his lack of participation during the NBA regular season piqued the interest of the NBA.
This investigation is attributable to Embiid’s status as a star player (defined by the league as a player who has made an All-Star team of an All-NBA team in the past three years). This categorization subjects him to NBA regulations designed to ensure that the league’s best players are as visible as possible to NBA fans. Embiid’s unique knee rehabilitation program pushes the limit of these rules.
He made his 2024-5 debut on Tuesday, November 12 against the Knicks, playing 26 minutes and scoring 13 points. His debut came after serving a three game suspension for intentionally shoving a reporter on November 2. That incident occurred while he was watching from the bench. Embiid told an ESPN reporter that he doubts he will play in back-to-back games for the remainder of his career. Consequently, Embiid has received criticism for sitting out of games from Sixers legend and popular TNT commentator Charles Barkley, who played for the team from 1984-1992. Barkley, who is well-known for his sharp, often humorous critiques of various NBA players, said that “[Embiid] cannot say, as a leader of that team, [he’s] not going to play certain games,” and questioned how a team leader could get away with not participating in so many games.
As of Monday, November 17th, the team has a 2-10 record, second to last in the Eastern conference. While these standings are not ideal, an increase in Embiid’s playing time should bring hope to fans. The success of twenty year old rookie Jared McCain is a positive note on the season—McCain is averaging 14.8 points per game and with a field goal percentage of 47.4%. He scored a career high 34 points on November 13th, and his play makes a case for a spot in the starting lineup. McCain is also a presence on Tiktok, with his dancing videos receiving millions of views.
The Sixers have gained attention from Philadelphians who aren’t interested in basketball. The Wells Fargo Center, located in the South Philadelphia sports complex—along with the Phillies and Eagles stadiums—has been the home of the Sixers since 1996. However,the Sixers have recently proposed a new stadium at 76 Place at Market East that would replace the Fashion District mall.
With the approval of Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker, the Sixers intend to leave the Wells Fargo Center and move to the new stadium when their current lease expires in 2031. 1986 Wharton graduate Josh Harris and 1991 Wharton graduate David Blitzer own the team through their company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment. The two billionaires have, in the past few years, continued being involved at Penn, with Harris donating $10 million to Wharton and Blitzer donating $3 million to the Graduate School of Education.
If constructed as planned, the new arena will be located in Center City on Market Street which has endured criticism from some due to its potential effects on Chinatown—the neighborhood directly adjacent to the site. Opponents allege that the arena’s presence will lead to a dispersion of Chinatown’s culture, as well as rising rents.
The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PDDC), a nonprofit founded in 1966, purports to represent the residents and business owners in Chinatown. The organization commissioned “more than 230 surveys” which found that “93% of business owners, 94% of people who live in Chinatown and 95% of visitors oppose the arena.”
While there is intense opposition to the arena’s construction due to potential traffic congestion, cultural dilution, and gentrification, the Sixers advocate that the new arena will benefit the Philadelphia community. The team claims its new home court will be built with $1.55 billion in private funds, raise $1.5 billion in tax revenue in the next 30 years, create over 9,000 jobs for Philadlephians, and generate new customers for nearby businesses. They advocate that the substantial tax revenue, new jobs, and benefits to community businesses will outweigh the negatives. Furthermore, the proposed arena is located in the Market East neighborhood—an area which has been experiencing economic problems for years.
While Mayor Parker approved of the Sixers’ plans, the Philadelphia City Council is currently holding hearings that are set to end on December 3. This comes after some resolutions approving the continuation of the project have already passed. While construction is set to finish in 2031, unanticipated political opposition, construction costs, or other issues may delay its completion.
Ryan Wolff is a junior in the College studying Health and Societies and History from New York, NY. Ryan is also the Sports Editor for The Pennsylvania Post. His email is rywolff@sas.upenn.edu.
