PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Leaders in New Jersey are in talks with the 76ers, hoping to convince them to move across the Delaware River to the Garden State.

It comes amid stalled plans for the proposed Sixers arena in Center City Philadelphia.

A spokesperson for the Sixers told Action News they want their own arena, and now it’s just a matter of where.

Philadelphia 76ers owner, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, has been working for years on proposals to build a new arena in Center City.

But with negotiations still up in the air, New Jersey is once again drawing up a game plan.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says he’s approaching these conversations with conviction.

“We’re blessed with a good relationship with these guys, both the owners and the professionals who run the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, and they own the Devils and the Sixers among other assets,” said Murphy.

The Sixers already moved their practice facility and corporate headquarters to Camden in 2016.

“We’ve been observing the lack of progress in Philadelphia and we said, ‘You know what, we’re going to raise this with them.’ And we’re serious about it and they seem to be serious about it,” said Murphy.

Another serious conversation has been putting the arena on the East Market Street Corridor, which would stand on the edge of Chinatown.

It continues to remain a concern among those who oppose it.

“There’s a lot of harm that could come from this. There’s a lot of ways that Chinatown could be wiped out a lot of folks could lose their homes and businesses,” said Vivian Chang, the executive director of Asian Americans United.

In a statement sent to Action News, a 76ers spokesperson said:

“We remain focused on bringing a state-of-the-art arena to Philadelphia as we have been for the last four years. We are hopeful to reach an agreement with the city this summer to ensure legislation is introduced in early September, which will allow the 76ers to open our new home in time for the 2031-32 NBA season.”

Fans we spoke with say they want the team to stay in Philadelphia.

“I love the Sixers, I don’t love the prospect of them leaving Philadelphia and moving to New Jersey,” said Sean Dalton from Manayunk.

“I’m not going to Jersey and neither should they,” said Tim Levy from Erdenheim.

The team’s spokesperson says their goal is to stay in the city, they just have to strike the right deal, and time is ticking.

2-minute read

President Joe Biden’s decision to not seek reelection should not impact New Jersey’s November ballot, say state election officials.

New Jersey’s deadline to prepare the official general election ballot for printing is Sept. 2 — 11 days after the Democratic National Convention ends.

The DNC is scheduled for Aug. 19 to Aug. 22, where the Democratic party will nominate its presidential candidate to face former President Donald Trump in November’s general election.

Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be the leading candidate to replace Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee. Harris on Sunday said she will seek the 2024 Democratic nomination after Biden stepped aside and endorsed her candidacy.

Story continues below photo gallery.

Biden’s withdrawal from the race won’t affect NJ ballot deadline

The state deadlines are based on the national conventions, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan said. “We expect a nominee will be picked out of those three days,” Hogan said. “It’s more than enough time and won’t affect the deadlines.”

The deadline for publication of notice of mail-in ballot availability by the state’s county clerks is Sept. 10, which is 55 days before Election Day. Mail-in ballots will begin to be mailed beginning on Sept. 21.

Hogan said special elections in past years caused by vacancies due to death have created tight deadlines, but Bergen County and other clerks were able to deliver.

“We will deliver on the election, but right now everything is still on schedule,” he said. “I don’t see any upset to this at all, when we get the name, we’ll print the ballots with the guidelines.”

More: Kamala Harris’ VP: Possible running mates

Biden announced on social media on Sunday that he would not be running for re-election following a poor presidential debate performance and weeks of mounting pressure from Democrats urging him to withdraw from the election.

More details are expected this week when Biden said he will speak to the country about his decision. After the announcement, he quickly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the presidential nominee.

Each state has delegates that represent the interests of the voters at the national party conventions. It is up to those individuals to formally cast the support of the state for each candidate. New Jersey has 146 delegates.

If no candidate wins the majority of the roughly 4,000 delegates, then the party’s more than 700 superdelegates, or automatic delegates, will be able to vote at the convention.

Here are the top stories for Monday, July 22

NJ Gov. Murphy Emerges as Possible VP Pick After Biden Drops Out

National Democratic leaders are talking to Gov. Phil Murphy about running as second fiddle in the 2024 presidential election after President Joe Biden dropped out on Sunday, according to a report.

After announcing his decision to not seek reelection, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to replace him at the top of the ticket. However, Biden will remain in office to complete his term.

If there is an open primary, Gov. Murphy will not run for president, the New Jersey Globe reported citing several unnamed sources.

However, some party leaders have reportedly called the New Jersey governor to discuss joining Harris on the ticket as a candidate for vice president.

1 Dead in NJ as CDC Investigates Listeria Outbreak in Deli Meats

Federal health officials are investigating a bacterial outbreak that has killed at least one person in New Jersey.

The outbreak of listeria has hospitalized 28 people in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While there are 28 confirmed cases, officials say the number of infected people is likely much greater because some people recover without medical care.

New Jersey has two confirmed cases linked to the outbreak. One person who was sick has died, according to the CDC.

Investigators from the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and other state health agencies believe the outbreak may be connected to deli meats.

NJ Teacher Charged with Assaulting 11-year-old Special Needs Student
WEST ORANGE — A special education teacher is facing charges including child endangerment for assaulting an 11-year-old student at school, according to authorities.

Jaron Spicer, 32, of Bayonne was arrested on July 16, according to Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens.

The teacher at Mt. Carmel Guild Academy in West Orange is charged with second-degree child endangerment and simple assault for the April 18 incident, authorities said.

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