“HBSE and Comcast will also immediately focus on Market East, bringing together government officials and local stakeholders to develop a variety of options to revitalize a vital neighborhood in Center City where the 76ers had originally proposed locating the arena,” the release read.

After years of planning and ongoing debate, the planners behind a proposal to bring a Sixers arena to Center City have backtracked. Instead, the team will get a new arena in South Philly, an official claimed.

Less than two weeks into the new year, the Sixers delivered "a curveball that none of us saw coming," Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a press conference Monday. Why it matters: The team's new deal with Comcast Spectacor to build a South Philadelphia arena and entertainment complex shakes up plans to redevelop Market East,

The Philadelphia 76ers and Comcast Spectacor have reached a deal to allow the team to remain in South Philadelphia after more than two years of posturing,

The team, whose ownership group is led by investor Josh Harris, said it had formed a 50-50 joint venture with Comcast to replace its arena in the South Philadelphia stadium district by 2031. Comcast will also take a minority stake in the team and work together on the WNBA bid, the parties said in a joint statement Monday.

Throughout the hour-long news conference, Mayor Parker said she is willing to put aside her ego and emotions and prioritize what is best for .