The Philadelphia 76ers have put into movement plans to maneuver the staff to Middle Metropolis, however many followers aren’t proud of the notion. And now, add Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce to the combo.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia mayor Cherelle L. Parker introduced that she has authorized a plan that may transfer the Sixers to a brand new enviornment within the Chinatown district of Middle Metropolis. The world, set to be named 76 Place and opened in 2031, has been within the works for a while beneath staff proprietor Josh Harris. Through the years, the Sixers have flirted with leaving the Wells Fargo Middle in Philadelphia to a brand new stadium throughout the river in Camden, New Jersey, however Wednesday’s deal is ready to maintain the staff within the metropolis.
Nonetheless, the deal is sort of controversial. It’s well-known that the town’s 4 main sports activities groups all presently play within the South Philadelphia Sports activities Advanced set 3.5 miles from downtown. The Sixers’ upcoming transfer would separate them from Philadelphia’s iconic sports activities advanced, which has housed the town’s sporting groups for many years. Plus, the transfer into Middle Metropolis is ready to displace Chinatown residents to construct the world and certain add visitors congestion to downtown.
All in all, Philadelphia residents aren’t happy with the plan. And on Thursday, Kelce added his voice to the combo as he vocalized his displeasure with the Sixers’ downtown transfer on a neighborhood Philadelphia radio present, 94WIP.
Jason Kelce’s full response to the brand new settlement to construct a Sixers enviornment in Middle Metropolis: “On the finish of the day persons are in all probability going to like it..However proper now I actually hate it.”
(@WIPMorningShow)
pic.twitter.com/M1uYBDFWgt https://t.co/FgBOmqkYYq
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) September 19, 2024
“They’re sturdy arming the town, what do you do? Do you threat shedding the Sixers? It simply sucks! The possession group isn’t Philadelphian. He’s acquired a New Jersey Devils staff, a Philadelphia staff and now a Washington staff. And now they’re forcing the town to do what this man desires and it sucks! Like I mentioned, on the finish of the day, I feel we’re all going to be actually proud of it. I do assume that, apart from the folks that get displaced out of Chinatown and the folks that aren’t going to have the ability to dwell there anymore … A part of that is rising up in Cleveland and I misplaced a soccer staff for 3 years. I simply don’t assume that quantity of disrespect in direction of the residents that let you have this staff is suitable.”
Kelce even expanded upon his ideas on Twitter after his radio section went viral.
To be clear, I’d completely assist the Sixers constructing their very own enviornment in South Philadelphia. The renting factor isn’t truthful to them, I simply hate the sturdy arming of the town to pressure an inevitable transfer into an space that the native residents, and overwhelming majority of… https://t.co/jJifC1XWip
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) September 19, 2024
As of now, the Sixers’ new enviornment isn’t a accomplished deal but, as Philadelphia’s Metropolis Council will even need to approve the plans. Philadelphia sports activities followers, on the very least, are completely satisfied a high-profile voice is talking out on this subject.
Jason Kelce will get it. Philly sports activities followers are nice as a result of they care. Town loves gamers and individuals who additionally care.
It’s painfully apparent Josh Harris doesn’t care about Philly followers or Philadelphia.
Letting him dictate what occurs to our neighborhoods could be a shame. https://t.co/FaObnBOJCj
— Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich) September 19, 2024
👑 @JasonKelce sums up what Philly followers know: Nobody likes the world. Josh Harris and Mayor Parker do not care.
PS Jason, a #SaveChinatown shirt would look nice beneath a kelly inexperienced tracksuit. https://t.co/LjiHhOEztl
— Save Chinatown Philly (@SaveChinatownPA) September 19, 2024
Right here is the right tackle this. https://t.co/X2hKDdiE8Q
— Dena Driscoll (@bikemamadelphia) September 19, 2024
I recognize Kelce’s response right here, particularly replying to the straw man argument of the woes of the Sixers staff. I am a *huge* Sixers fan. I do not assume their gameday storage wants are extra necessary than the security and preservation of Chinatown & it is wild to me that anybody does. https://t.co/E3xO7lBoQW
— Aubrey Nagle (@aubsn) September 19, 2024
Jason Kelce is aware of ball (shocker) https://t.co/CQk2uJJE8K
— George (@nothatcurious) September 19, 2024