Camden Waterfront Rendering
A Message from President & CEO Tom Bracken

You’ve likely heard the recent buzz: New Jersey made a bold play to lure the Philadelphia 76ers across the Delaware River, offering an attractive deal for a new arena in Camden.

This move clearly caught the attention of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who quickly announced her own city’s agreement with the team for a proposed new arena in Center City near Chinatown.

However, the Philly “deal” still requires city council approval, and it already faces opposition from residents concerned about congestion.

New Jersey’s offer, on the other hand, comes with generous tax incentives, a nearly shovel-ready site and the support of Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leaders. You could say New Jersey’s offer is more attractive, more workable and more realistic.

Of course, we understand that it’s not easy to pull a team from a city steeped in tradition. But don’t count New Jersey out. The Murphy administration is the same one that helped get the FIFA World Cup 2026 final to New Jersey — against all odds. We’re the same state that many years ago pulled the Jets and Giants from New York. It must be noted that the 76ers already have their practice facility and executive offices in Camden, and owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who also own the New Jersey Devils and their home arena, the Prudential Center, are no strangers to working with the state.

No matter how this plays out, we are impressed with how Murphy, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan and the entire New Jersey team acted quickly when they saw an economic opportunity that would benefit the state and residents by driving economic growth and creating jobs.

Even if the 76ers don’t bite, this ambitious offer puts Camden on the map for other high-profile companies looking for a home.

The message is clear: New Jersey is open for business.

A 76ers move to Camden would be another transformative project for an urban area in our state.

Just look at the $750 million HELIX innovation center in New Brunswick, set to open next year as the home of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Nokia Bell Labs and a residential tower. It will add new landmarks to the skyline, and foster innovation, research and startup activity. Or, consider the $336 million redevelopment of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center campus in Newark, which will bring new residences, restaurants and public spaces to Newark by 2027.

These are all great examples of business collaborating with government, and residents benefiting. These projects breathe new life into our cities and create jobs — exactly what New Jersey needs.

This brings us back to the 76ers.

The plan for Camden isn’t just about building a beautiful arena. It’s part of a larger, privately funded mixed-use development that includes residential, commercial and retail spaces, creating a vibrant waterfront community north of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

Last thought: I recently attended a late-summer event at MetLife Stadium, home of the Jets and Giants, and it just happened to be the day they were hiring workers for the upcoming football season. The line of interested applicants went around the stadium. It made me think that the creation of a Camden arena, hosting more than just basketball games, would have the same interest from job-seekers.

Kudos to Murphy and Sullivan for setting the stage. We hope the 76ers say yes. But, even if they don’t, it demonstrates New Jersey’s seriousness when it comes to economic growth — and our willingness to be innovative in attracting business to our state.

Tom

Media Contacts

Scott Goldstein
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
scott@njchamber.com
609-989-7888 x113
Cell: 609-220-0836


Kevin Friedlander
New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
kevin.friedlander@njchamber.com
609-789-5263


2025 NJ Chamber Events

Mar 4
Real Estate Symposium
New Jersey at a Crossroads: How and Where Do We Grow from Here
Where: Heldrich Hotel, New Brunswick
When: 8:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Sponsored by the Rutgers Business School Center for Real Estate in conjunction with Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.
Mar 19
NJM Small Business Series
The Future of Work – Navigating Automation and Upskilling Your Workforce
Where: Virtual Event
When: 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Free to participate
Apr 17
Networking
Member Mixer
Where: Control Point Associates, Warren
When: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free to members
Apr 23
Young Professionals Event
Networking & Baseball: Brooklyn Cyclones at Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Where: ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood
When:  6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Free to participate. Open to all young professionals.
May 19
14th Annual
NJ Chamber Challenge Cup Golf Tournament
Where: Bedens Brook Club, Skillman
Shotgun Start: noon
Jun 12
28th Annual
NJ Chamber Open House and Reception
Where: New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
When: 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Sep 18
Networking
Women of Inspiration Awards Reception
Where: National Conference Center, E. Windsor
When: 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
More information coming soon
Sep 25
Networking
Member Networking Breakfast
Where: New Jersey Audubon, Bernardsville
When: 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Free to members
More information coming soon
Oct 22
NJ Chamber Legislative & Business Awards Reception
Where: EisnerAmper, Iselin
When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
More information coming soon
Nov 6
DE&I Trailblazer Awards Reception
Co-Hosted by African American Chamber of NJ and NJ Chamber
Where: Pines Manor, Edison
When: 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
More infomrmation coming soon
Dec 11
Networking
Annual Member Holiday Party
Where: Calandra's Italian Village, Caldwell
When: 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Free to members
More information coming soon

2026 NJ Chamber Events

Mar 24-25
ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo 2026
Where: Harrah's Atlantic City
When: Full day event
Note: The Walk to Washington will return in 2027