Latest news with #ComcastSpectacor
Axios
05-08-2025
- Business
- Axios
Philly's biggest puzzle: The road to a new Sixers arena
The Sixers' U-turn to stay put in South Philly earlier this year upended Comcast Spectacor's $2.5 billion blueprint to reimagine the sports complex. Why it matters: They're not just building a new arena — they're rewriting a playbook for the area that's already set in motion. Catch up quick: The Wells Fargo Center (soon to be Xfinity Mobile Arena) was supposed to be the backbone of Spectacor's 2024 plan for a buzzing South Philly sports complex that would bring new hotels, housing and restaurants over 10 years. The company recently dumped $400 million into arena upgrades, planning to keep it around for years as new amenities and housing were built around it. Then Spectacor would eventually replace the center with a new venue on the parking lot between it and Lincoln Financial Field, per the Inquirer. The Phillies partnered with Spectacor on part of the original plan. (The team declined Axios' request to comment.) Yes, but: The plan's been flipped. Spectacor now has to build a brand-new arena first — and redraw a roadmap already underway. When Comcast Spectacor and Sixers owner Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment partnered on the new deal, they accelerated the arena timeline to at least 2031. And that could even be bumped to 2030 for the inaugural season of the city's WNBA team. How it works: Comcast Spectacor is now finalizing the construction process and infrastructure improvements to build the new arena that will replace the Wells Fargo Center, a company spokesperson tells Axios. Only then will they reassess and adjust the broader "master plan," the spokesperson added, declining to elaborate. Meanwhile, design firm Populous and architect Moody Nolan were selected in June to design the new arena. The big picture: Parts of Spectacor's original plan are underway. The $15 million upgrades to Xfinity Live! are expected to kick off soon. The intrigue: The status of other first-phase projects is up in the air, including a mid-size concert venue, hotel and retail space — all of which had a 2028 completion date. Some were supposed to break ground this year. Comcast declined to comment on their status. What we don't know: The precise location of the new arena. Comcast hasn't commented on whether it'll take over the same site as the Wells Fargo Center or be moved. And how construction will affect residents, fans, traffic — and Philly's sacredtailgating culture. What they're saying: Ken Anderson, vice president and civic sector leader at the global design firm Stantec, tells Axios that among his biggest concerns is how the new arena will complement the existing stadiums and new amenities. Still, he notes, building the arena first could buy Spectacor more time to plan the trickier pieces — like housing, restaurants and hotels.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena
(WHTM) — A decades-long run for the Wells Fargo Center came to an end Tuesday as Comcast announced new naming rights for the Philadelphia arena. Starting September 1, the home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers is Xfinity Mobile Arena. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Local Business Beat The deal will run through the 2030-2031 season, Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) announced Tuesday. 'Philadelphia is home to the most passionate fans in the country, and that competitive spirit is a perfect complement to the Xfinity Mobile brand,' said Steve Croney, the Chief Operating Officer of Connectivity & Platforms at Comcast. As Rite Aid locations begin to close, local pharmacies across the country struggle The arena has been open since 1996 and has hosted not just Philadelphia sporting events, but also the WWE, Disney on Ice, and both Democratic and Republican National Conventions. The arena recently underwent a $400 million renovation and sees more than 2.5 million guests attend every year. 'This arena is an anchor in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and broader region,' said Dan Hilferty, Chairman & CEO of Comcast Spectacor. 'As we complete our historic relationship with Wells Fargo, we wanted to ensure that our new partner matched our enthusiasm for delivering world-class service to our fans and guests. We are committed to continuing to invest in our venue to ensure we're at the forefront of technology, innovation, and cutting-edge fan experiences.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Hamilton Spectator
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Home of Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers lands naming rights deal with Xfinity Mobile
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The home of the Philadelphia Flyers and the 76ers has a new name. The arena will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena, effective Sept. 1 and running through the 2030-2031 season. Banking giant Wells Fargo announced last year that it would not renew its deal with building owner and operator Comcast Spectacor — the parent company of the Flyers — when it expires in August. Financial terms were not announced. Wells Fargo paid a reported $1.4 million annually as part of the naming rights deal. The arena, originally named CoreStates Center, opened in 1996 and has been the home to Philly sports stars like Allen Iverson, Eric Lindros and Joel Embiid, as well as NCAA Tournament games. The building has carried a number of names, including the First Union Center in 1998 and Wachovia Center in 2003. Wells Fargo bought out Wachovia and posted its name on the roughly 21,000-seat building in 2010. Comcast Spectacor last year completed a $400 million renovation project of the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers earlier this year announced they would partner with Comcast Spectacor, their current landlord, to build a new arena in South Philadelphia and abandon a deal with the city to move downtown. Comcast will own the naming rights to the arena being developed via a joint venture between HBSE and Comcast Spectacor, set to open in the 2031-2032 season. ___ AP NHL: and AP NBA:
CBS News
06-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Wells Fargo Center undergoing a name change, will become Xfinity Mobile Arena
A new shared arena is planned for the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, but until then, the stadium where the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers call home will have a new name. Effective Sept. 1, the Wells Fargo Center will be renamed to Xfinity Mobile Arena, Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment announced Tuesday. The name change will be in effect through the 2030-31 season. Comcast Spectacor and HBSE are planning to have their new arena ready in 2031. "This arena is an anchor in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and broader region," Dan Hilferty, chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor, said in a statement. "As we complete our historic relationship with Wells Fargo, we wanted to ensure that our new partner matched our enthusiasm for delivering world-class service to our fans and guests. We are committed to continuing investing in our venue to ensure we're at the forefront of technology, innovation and cutting-edge fan experiences." The Wells Fargo Center is the current home of the Flyers, Sixers and Philadelphia Wings. The name change will be the first since 2010, when the arena was renamed from the Wachovia Center to Wells Fargo. The arena, which opened in August 1996, has had a number of names over its history. It opened as Spectrum II before becoming CoreStates Center from 1996 to 98, then the First Union Center from 1998 to 2003. Wachovia sponsored it from 2003 to 2010 before Wells Fargo took over the naming rights.
Winnipeg Free Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Home of Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers lands naming rights deal with Xfinity Mobile
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The home of the Philadelphia Flyers and the 76ers has a new name. The arena will be renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena, effective Sept. 1 and running through the 2030-2031 season. Banking giant Wells Fargo announced last year that it would not renew its deal with building owner and operator Comcast Spectacor — the parent company of the Flyers — when it expires in August. FILE - The Wells Fargo center in Philadelphia is seen on Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) Financial terms were not announced. Wells Fargo paid a reported $1.4 million annually as part of the naming rights deal. The arena, originally named CoreStates Center, opened in 1996 and has been the home to Philly sports stars like Allen Iverson, Eric Lindros and Joel Embiid, as well as NCAA Tournament games. The building has carried a number of names, including the First Union Center in 1998 and Wachovia Center in 2003. Wells Fargo bought out Wachovia and posted its name on the roughly 21,000-seat building in 2010. Comcast Spectacor last year completed a $400 million renovation project of the Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers earlier this year announced they would partner with Comcast Spectacor, their current landlord, to build a new arena in South Philadelphia and abandon a deal with the city to move downtown. Comcast will own the naming rights to the arena being developed via a joint venture between HBSE and Comcast Spectacor, set to open in the 2031-2032 season. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up ___ AP NHL: and AP NBA:
