The Philadelphia 76ers’ proposed $1.3 billion arena hasn’t been embraced by the city’s Chinatown community since it was first announced in July. 

This week provided another reminder when a Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation survey found that more than 90% of business owners, residents, and visitors opposed the arena that would be built on the edge of the community. 

“It’s disappointing when Market East is in the midst of economic decline and after our attempts to work with PCDC, that they would reach this decision without seeing our official proposal,” the 76ers said in a statement. 

Opponents to the project point to what occurred in Washington’s Chinatown: What is now known as Capital One Arena — the home of the Wizards and Capitals that opened in 1997 — hastened the decline of the number of Chinese residents in the neighborhood.

Aside from affecting the Chinatown culture, other concerns include parking and traffic congestion as well as increasing rent.

The next several months will prove crucial as 76 Devcorp, helmed by billionaire 76ers limited partner David Adelman, seeks to allay those fears. 

In a news release earlier this month, the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters Union lauded the project, which could add 9,000 construction-related jobs to build the privately financed arena and 1,000 permanent jobs once it’s finished. 

“It’s a rare opportunity when a development project the magnitude of the 76 Place Market East Arena comes along,” the union said. 

If the project secures the necessary approvals, construction will begin in 2027 with the aim of opening in 2031.

James Dolan is upping the ante in his battle against New York regulators.

The owner of the New York Knicks and Rangers, Madison Square Garden, and other venues and restaurants hired a private detective to follow New York State Liquor Authority investigator Charles Stravalle.

MSG Entertainment, which operates the Garden and other properties, acknowledged having done so, calling it “a common and lawful practice.”

Dolan is in an ongoing feud with state authorities over his policy of barring lawyers employed by firms engaged in active litigation against his companies from entering his properties, including Madison Square Garden. The company uses facial recognition technology to enforce the policy.

The New York State Attorney General wrote a letter in January to MSG Entertainment saying the policy could violate civil rights laws. Stravalle is investigating whether the policy is grounds for removing the Garden’s liquor license.

The issue could impact the attempted sale of MSG Entertainment’s Tao Group, which Dolan is looking to sell to fund the construction of his $2.2 billion Las Vegas venue, MSG Sphere.

In a televised interview, Dolan held up a picture of the state Liquor Authority’s chief executive Sharif Kabir and suggested that fans tell him to “stick to his knitting.”

Dolan has recently expressed interest in selling a minority stake in the Knicks and Rangers but has promised to retain majority control of both teams.

The Philadelphia Phillies are seeing positive ripple effects from their World Series run and big offseason spending.

The team’s season-ticket base jumped to around 15,250 for the 2023 season, up 50% from approximately 10,000 last year on the heels of their run to the World Series where they fell to the Houston Astros. 

The Phillies further stoked fan excitement by doubling down over the offseason, signing superstar shortstop Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million contract. They also added starting pitcher Taijuan Walker for $72 million over four years and reliever Craig Kimbrel for $10 million on a one-year deal, among others.

Their estimated payroll entering the 2023 season is $259.8 million.

The average attendance at the Phillies’ 43,000-seat Citizens Bank Park in 2022 was 28,459, 16th out of 30 MLB teams. They expect that figure to improve this season. The Phillies’ home opener against the Cincinnati Reds is sold out, while the following game is on its way toward a sellout. 

The team was 10th in attendance in 2019 with an average of 33,671. The 15.5% drop from 2019 — the last season before 2022 unaffected by pandemic-related restrictions — was more than twice the league average, as MLB attendance fell by almost 6% in that span.

The state of Vermont is closer to legalizing sports betting — which would make it the last state in New England to adopt the industry after Massachusetts went live earlier this month.

House Bill 127 was approved by an 11-1 vote by the Vermont House of Representatives’ Committee on Ways and Means, sending it to a third and final committee vote — the furthest a piece of betting legislation has made it in the state government.

Lawmakers have amended the bill since the last time it was up for consideration with updated language related to advertising limits and consumer protections.

The proposed legislation would allow for six sports betting apps to run in the state. Gov. Phil Scott has budgeted for $2.6 million in sports betting revenue if the bill were to become law.

“I don’t care for it, but I’ll vote for the bill,” Rep. James Masland said.

Meanwhile, Down South

Georgia hasn’t given up on legalizing sports betting, even after its most recent defeat earlier in March.

A new bill meant to recognize an annual soap box derby in the state has been radically changed to include language that would legalize sports betting in the state. The measure cleared a Senate committee by an 8-1 vote and could reach the Senate floor for vote this week.

In North Carolina, a new sports betting bill has been introduced to lawmakers, who are hoping to pass it after it failed in 2022.