UPDATE: New Jersey Looks to Bring Philadelphia 76ers to Garden State

The New Jersey Devils have reigned as the lone New Jersey-based major league franchise between the core-four leagues, the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. The New Jersey Nets were relocated in 2012, uprooted to Brooklyn where the still reside in the Barclay’s Center. Sure, the New York Jets, New York Giants, and New York Red Bulls are all located in New Jersey. However, the Devils are the only true New Jersey major franchise. According to a report, that could change with recent discussions of an NBA team relocating to the State of New Jersey heating up.

Tom Bergeron of ROI-NJ.com reports that New Jersey is making a “serious push” to convince the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers to move to the Garden State. Although the Prudential Center has housed basketball before — such as the Nets when they needed a temporary home in the 2010-11 season and currently the NCAA’s Seton Hall — the 76ers proposed move would be to a new arena which would be built in Camden. Four sources familiar with the situation confirmed the information to ROI-NJ.

The 76ers owners — who also happen to be the Devils owners, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment — have reportedly had discussions regarding the potential move for the last two months.

The lease agreement between the Wells Fargo Center and the 76ers ends following the 2030-31 season. With that in mind, HBSE has attempted to build a new arena for the 76ers in Center City Philadelphia, although, those talks have hit a roadblock even though the Devils owners have pledged to self-fund the $1.3 billion project, the report says.

Whenever relocating a major sports franchise comes up, many defer to the belief that it’s just a negotiation tactic that will eventually lead to a resolution in the team staying put. However, Bergeron lists plenty of convincing reasons why a move to New Jersey actually makes sense:

• The Sixers’ team offices and practice facility already are in Camden, at a 66,230-square-foot facility that opened to much fanfare in 2016;
• HBSE owns the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center in Newark — and its two principal owners, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, have ties to the state;
• Gov. Phil Murphy has a longstanding relationship with Harris and Blitzer — he is in regular dialogue with both on various issues;
• The state has available land in the Camden area, including along the waterfront, potentially a landing spot for an ultramodern facility that has great views of the Philadelphia skyline;
• The transit connectivity between Philadelphia and Camden would make it easy for Philly fans to still attend games;
• And, while HBSE’s owners have indicated a willingness to pay for the entirety of the project, coming to New Jersey would make them eligible for a tax credit of up to $400 million through the state’s Aspire program.

Although they recognize the struggles the 76ers are having in finding an eventual new home, Philadelphia officials remain focused and positive that there will be a solution that works out for the team to stay in Philadelphia.

A spokesperson with the Devils reaffirmed the focused and positive outlook:

“We are focused on our proposal in Philly. Obviously have a great relationship with Murphy and New Jersey, but focused on pushing our proposal for market East across the line.”

However, if it doesn’t work out in Philadelphia, there are ties to the 76ers in Camden — who are community partners — which would make sense for them to move the team.

New Jersey is seemingly a rising sports town. The 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium was a major success, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to the Garden State, and the Devils have resurfaced as a contender.

Whereas it may seem unrealistic that the 76ers actually move to neighbor the Devils in New Jersey, one source to ROI-NJ hasn’t nixed the idea.

“Maybe it’s a long shot, but sometimes long shots pay off in a big way.”

So what do Devils fans think? Do you want to see the 76ers move to New Jersey alongside your favorite Devils players such as Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Co?

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