New York
New Jersey is causing a new sports identity dilemma in Philadelphia
The state is already home to four teams whose uniforms say “New York.” Now it’s trying to lure the N.B.A.’s 76ers.
Updated 2024-Oct-03 18:00
The Wells Fargo Center sign which reads “Home of the Philadelphia” and includes logos for the 76ers and the Flyers.
The team concluded that all potential options including the offer from New Jersey must be taken seriously.
Capece the former Nets superfan believed that his beloved state had nothing to lose by pursuing the Sixers.
He claimed that if it truly occurred it would be a significant achievement for the governor. If this were to happen he would tell Philadelphia fans: Keep moving forward.
With the weight of paying for their season tickets lifted Capece and his wife renovated their kitchen.
He still treasures memorabilia from his days as a Nets fan such as jerseys signed by Keith van Horn and Kerry Kittles but doesn t think about the current team.
Even if offered $1 000 he couldn t name a current Nets player and wouldn t support the 76ers if they relocated to Camden.
Frank Capece felt a twinge of nostalgia last week when he heard New Jersey officials were trying to convince the Philadelphia 76ers to cross state lines and establish a new home in Camden N.J. A lawyer and deep dyed sports fan from Cranford N. J. Capece owned New Jersey Nets season tickets for two decades before disavowing the team swiftly and permanently when it became clear that it was moving to Brooklyn.
So when the owners of the 76ers announced that they were at least pondering the offer Capece 74 could only laugh.
Been there done that he said. It’s like a divorce and when a divorce happens you don’t look back.
ImageJosh Harris the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers in July. Credit. Derik Hamilton Associated Press.
The only similarity between northern and southern New Jersey is their license plates. The final game of the 2026 World Cup will be held at MetLife Stadium now called the New York New Jersey Stadium by FIFA despite being located in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Devils are the lone big sports team in the state that is strictly associated with New Jersey.
Who do they belong to? Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment is connected to more than just the Devils in New Jersey.
In 2016 the basketball team relocated its offices and practice facility to Camden a move that some Sixers fans saw as a partial step towards a complete move across the river.
The team stated that their Center City proposal remained their main focus.
