Full court press to keep 76ers offices, training facility in Philly

The city of Philadelphia continues trying to persuade the Philadelphia 76ers to keep their business offices and practice facility in town — in the face of reports that the team may move those facilities to New Jersey. 

 Mayor Michael Nutter said Friday that until there is an official announcement the city won’t give up trying to to keep the 76ers practice facility and offices in town. The city and Comcast Spectacor both have made competitive offers to the team ownership to remain in the city, he said.

“You’ve got the state of New Jersey literally throwing money at the 76ers, and sometimes that might be a little tough to turn down,” he said.

The mayor is quick to point out that the team will stay in town when it comes to playing its games.

“You know, a practice facility is just that. I don’t know how many fans go to practice facility, and I don’t know how many people work at a  practice facility,” Nutter said. “What I do know is that all home games will continue to be played at the Wells Fargo Center … they are under contract for a long time.”

The mayor says that commitment extends for more than a decade.