One day after Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced she had reached an agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers on a plan to keep the team in the city, continuing its push toward a new arena in Center City, longtime Philadelphia Eagle and likely one-day Hall of Famer Jason Kelce spoke out against the Sixers organization, specifically the approach of their arena plans and the strategy implemented by team ownership.
While joining Sports Radio WIP‘s morning show, Kelce was asked about his location preference for the Sixers’ new arena and proceeded to lay into the organization.
“I would prefer it stays in South Philly, unquestionably,” Kecle said. “And I’ll say this, 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 [the arena]. 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.”
Kelce, a Cleveland Heights native, likened the situation to what Cleveland fans dealt with back in 1986.
“I really hate it,” said Kelce. “And part of me is like, I have scars from this, from growing up in Cleveland and watching Art Modell try and strong-arm the city and then move them to Baltimore. And I really have a strong disdain for the fact that [Josh Harris] strong-armed the city by threatening to move them out of the city. All these people have devoted all their time, all their efforts, all their money, and a lifetime of fandom towards this team, and now you’re going to strong-arm people against what the city wants. I really have a hard time being okay with that. I’m not okay with it. I think it’s wrong. But that’s how I feel.”
Kelce also referenced the lack of options Sixers fans face regarding this issue.
“It has nothing to do with the city and their strong-arming the city. What do you do? Do you risk losing the Sixers? The only thing the fans can do, is say, ‘Fine, move. We’re not going to do it.’ And then we don’t have a basketball team, and it just sucks.”
Kelce expressed concerns about the ownership group’s dedication to Philadelphia, saying, “The ownership group isn’t Philadelphia. It’s got a New Jersey Devils team, a Philadelphia team, and now a Washington team.”
Over his years of ownership, Josh Harris has faced criticism from parts of the fanbase over a perceived lack of commitment to Philadelphia. As if he were attempting to catch them all, Harris has acquired ownership stakes from various teams across nearly all varieties of major sports over the years. Since acquiring the Sixers in 2011, Harris has added ownership stakes in the New Jersey Devils, Crystal Palace F.C., Joe Gibbs Racing (NASCAR), and most recently, the Washington Commanders.
The former Eagles center also pulled no punches, voicing his opinion regarding how the situation reached this point.
“They’re forcing the city to do what this guy wants, and it sucks. Like I said, at the end of the day, we’re all going to be really happy with it. I do think that, other than the people that get displaced out of Chinatown and the people that aren’t going to be able to live there anymore, the vast majority of fans are probably going to have a better interaction with a beautiful new stadium and outstanding new shops and retail and residential.”
Kelce signed off on the situation by once again voicing support for the citizens of Philadelphia, the perceived victims of the situation to him.
“It sucks, and I just don’t think that amount of disrespect towards the citizens that allow you to have this team is appropriate.
