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Governor Shapiro Says Eagles’ Future Home is “in the City of Philadelphia”
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The Gov was at Eagles open practice on Tuesday night and he spoke with the on-hand scribes:
“I appreciate the way Don (Smolenski) and Jeffrey (Lurie) and the entire franchise are thinking really critically about what they want for the future of a home for the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s what I can tell you for sure; it’s gonna be in the city of Philadelphia. And we’ll work with the Eagles once they determine what it is they’re interested in doing. But I appreciate the thoughtful and deliberative approach that they’ve taken to this process… the process is exactly the way it should be, the Philadelphia Eagles organization is thinking about what they want for the future. We know that future is gonna be here in Philadelphia. They’re gonna think about what they want as a home for the next 30, 40, 50 years. And then we’ll have a conversation when they’re ready to have that.”
Well I guess this rules out the King of Prussia Eagles. Or the Pennsauken Eagles. Shapiro would never let the Birds leave the Commonwealth on his watch. Nor should we let South Jersey get its dirty mitts on the Birds.
But there are a lot of things to consider, and we’ve outlined them over the past few years.
Comcast-Spectacor, HBSE, and the Phillies are all committed to this sports complex redevelopment plan. They want to turn it into Atlanta’s Battery, with restaurants and mixed used retail and public gathering spaces and whatnot. The Eagles haven’t joined the other three teams, and their wants and needs are a little bit different. Tailgating is a big deal for football. A retractable roof or dome lets you host more climate-controlled events. We have no clue how they feel about private vs. public dollars. And if they do want taxpayer money, what does Mayor Parker’s administration think? Would Shapiro come in with Commonwealth dollars if the city proves difficult to work with?
You laugh, but look at Da Bears. Did anybody think they’d seriously consider Indiana? And look what the Sixers ended up doing after taking the Market Streetarena all the way to City Council and winning the vote. The Birds could also simply renovate the Linc, which will be almost 30 years old by the time the lease expires.
Anyway, the Eagles have been the big hold up in moving this sports complex topic forward, at least in public discourse. They are welcome to do whatever they want to do, but we’re waiting:
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com