The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to stay in the City of Brotherly Love, reaching a deal that represents a defeat for New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy – and indicted South Jersey party boss George Norcross.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker on Wednesday announced an agreement to build a new arena for the NBA team. Murphy’s Economic Development Authority had offered the team an $800 million tax break to build a new arena in Camden, New Jersey, along the waterfront and north of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
At an event on Tuesday night for the Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Norcross revealed he had been flexing his political muscle as the Garden State tried to lure the 76ers. Norcross chairs the hospital’s board.
“I’ve actually advanced the notion that the site should not be where they have it on the river, because unless you have a helicopter or a boat, it’s going to be a little difficult to get in and out of that arena,” he said, according to a recording from the event obtained by Gothamist.
Norcross said he had another location in mind — one that happened to put the arena closer to the neighborhood where he has several investments and to Cooper University Hospital, which he views as his family’s legacy.
“It should be where the Camden County Courthouse is and the Camden County Correctional Facility is,” said Norcross. He added that by the time the arena was built, a $250 million transit center would be conveniently located nearby.
The remarks are a sign that Norcross continues to wield influence in Camden despite being accused in June of illegally manipulating development along the waterfront to his benefit. He has pleaded not guilty to racketeering and other charges, arguing that everything he is accused of doing was legal and for Camden’s benefit.
Prosecutors say Norcross used his political power in Camden to run a criminal enterprise that resulted in him and his allies obtaining land along the waterfront for less than market value. Norcross and many of his business partners then got state tax breaks to build on that land, according to the indictment.
The recording obtained by Gothamist captured Norcross’ speech at an annual faculty assembly meeting and reception at Cooper Medical School. In his speech, Norcross envisioned the 76ers’ move to Camden as a boon for the hospital. He referenced a $3 billion expansion of the hospital, details of which were not clear.
“You’d start to see an abundance of activity take place and people actually starting to think, it’s time to move back here,” Norcross said.
From 2014 to 2018, companies connected to Norcross or his brother, Philip, obtained $1.1 billion in tax breaks to move to Camden. That includes an $82 million award for the 76ers, a client of the law firm owned by Philip Norcross, to build a practice facility in Camden.
Despite the serious charges against Norcross, Murphy has not distanced himself from him.
“He and many others like him in South Jersey share a similar passion as I have, and that is to make sure that as Jersey rises, it’s not just the north and it’s not just the central,” Murphy said in August on WNYC’s “Ask Governor Murphy” show. “South Jersey, to me, has the biggest headroom in terms of its potential.”
The governor also supported the proposed tax break for the 76ers. Just last week, Murphy touted the package.
“It is more than an arena — it is housing, it’s affordable housing, it’s mixed use, meaning office, retail, restaurants, bars,” he said at the time. “This will transform Camden.”
Keeping the 76ers in Philadelphia is not a done deal just yet, as the agreement will require the city council’s approval.
Inquiries with Murphy’s office and representatives for George and Philip Norcross were not immediately returned.