Photo: Philadelphia 76ers/Twitter

After years of pursuing plans to construct their own arena in downtown Philadelphia, the Philadelphia 76ers have shifted their approach.

The team has now announced a groundbreaking partnership with Comcast, the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers parent company, to develop a new arena in South Philadelphia jointly.

This area is already home to the venues for the city’s four major sports teams, creating a centralized hub for Philadelphia’s sports culture.

Under the terms of the agreement, the 76ers and Comcast will each hold equal 50 percent ownership stakes in the new arena project.

As part of the collaboration, Comcast will also acquire a stake in the 76ers organization and its parent company, Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment.

Additionally, the partnership includes plans to bring a WNBA team to Philadelphia, further expanding the city’s professional sports portfolio.

“This is a significant and unexpected development,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker remarked during a press conference on Monday where the deal was officially announced.

“This is a curveball none of us anticipated. Nevertheless, we are here, ready to embrace this opportunity.”

76ers co-owner Josh Harris acknowledged that this plan was not their initial vision, noting that the franchise “pivoted” after several hurdles, including an intervention by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts also highlighted the critical role that Silver and the NBA played in facilitating the collaboration between the two sides, ensuring the project could move forward cohesively.