Dan Hilferty Expands On New Vision for Philadelphia Sports Complex

The announcement of the expansion at Xfinity Live! drew excitement for upcoming changes at the Philadelphia sports complex. However, CEO and Chairman of Comcast Spectacor Dan Hilferty has a greater vision.

He spoke on The John Kincade Show about his long-term vision for South Philadelphia. Hilferty even boldly proclaimed his desire for a partnership between the Flyers and the 76ers at a new arena. 

The expanded partnership between Comcast Spectacor and the Cordish Companies will yield an estimated $12 million in upgrades. The immediate plan at Xfinity Live! will include an outdoor plaza for game day activities, festivals, and other community events. 

The long-term plan includes the construction of a 5,000+ seat concert venue, a 250-300 room hotel, new retail locations and restaurants, and a larger outdoor plaza. The upgrades will stretch into the H and G lots along Pattison Avenue west from 11th Street toward Broad Street near the former location of the Philadelphia Spectrum. There are additional possibilities in the works. 

Comcast Spectacor hopes the upgrades at Xfinity Live! will be complete in 2025. The further expansion up Pattison Ave. will likely stretch late into 2027 or into the early months of 2028.

Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) has laid potential plans to build a new 76ers arena in the Fashion District. The long-term project has caused controversy and intense debates within various communities within the city of Philadelphia.

Hilferty proposed a possible solution to keep the Sixers with the three other major professional sports franchises in Philadelphia. 

The likeliest location of a new arena hosting the Flyers, Sixers, concerts, and other events is east of the current location of the Wells Fargo Center toward I-95, the Navy Yard, and the Delaware River. Hilferty also mentioned that recent renovations to the Wells Fargo Center have expanded the building’s lifespan and created flexibility for the long-term vision.

The long-term vision for the Philadelphia Sports Complex certainly won’t materialize without its fair share of challenges. The success of HBSE pursuing the construction of the new 76ers Place is potentially the biggest harbinger to determine the direction of future projects.

Construction poses its own obstacles for parking, traffic, and pedestrian concerns surrounding the complex in the immediate future. 

He also mentioned the desire to install pedestrian bridges to extend over major intersections surrounding the complex. A high-scale vision to reshape the Philadelphia Sports Complex has unimaginable ripple effects throughout every corner of the city. There’s plenty of details left to be determined. 

Then, of course, there's money. Who will pay for such a major expansion? Is it coming out of the tax dollars?

Dan Hilferty’s reach in the city of Philadelphia is unparalleled following a long tenure as the President and CEO of Independence Blue Cross, leadership and recognition within the local Catholic/Jesuit community, and admirable initiative as a philanthropist.

He has developed strong relationships with local labor unions that will unquestionably play a major part in the proposed construction projects. He’ll now attempt to lead Comcast Spectacor toward an incredible goal of remaking the Philadelphia Sports Complex.

Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Weekend took place at the Wells Fargo Center from January 26-27 to celebrate the golden anniversary of the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Mark Recchi entered the Flyers Hall of Fame as the guest of honor before a Saturday matinee against the Boston Bruins.

Dan Hilferty and Keith Jones joined Recchi in front of the local media on Friday before the Flyers Alumni took on the Bruins Alumni. The new leadership group has consistently emphasized the need to honor the past as part of a transition into a New Era of Orange.

The Broad Street Bullies won the hearts of the city of Philadelphia with consecutive Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. Their legacy lives on through the words of legendary coach Fred Shero.

Lou Nolan introduced the Flyers like he has so many times before. Recchi drew the thunderous applause as the weekend’s guest of honor. Mike Richards also returned to Philadelphia for the first time since his NHL career ended in 2016. The former captain scored a shorthanded goal against the Bruins Alumni.

The franchise has retired just six numbers in its history. Five of the six honorees, all but the late Barry Ashbee, were in attendance. Bobby Clarke, Bill Barber, Bernie Parent, Mark Howe, and Eric Lindros all participated in the weekend ceremonies.

Todd Fedoruk might not be in franchise Hall of Fame, but the former NHL enforcer turned radio color commentator showed he’s still got it with a great effort for the Flyers Alumni in their 6-2 victory. 

Catch him with Tim Saunders on the 97.5 The Fanatic game broadcasts.

How many 80-year-olds are tough enough to skate against former NHL players half their age? Joe Watson played during the inaugural Flyers season in 1967-68. “The original Flyer” last played in the NHL 45 years ago, but he took the ice one final time.