Jason Kelce says he "really hates" the city of Philadelphia's decision to build a new Sixers arena in Center City.
“I would prefer it stays in South Philly, unquestionably," Kelce told Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie on Thursday's 94WIP Morning Show.
Mayor Cherelle Parker on Wednesday approved the plan to build the arena in Chinatown, pending legislation from City Council, despite continuous uproar from the Chinatown community.
"And I'll say this," Kelce continued. "When it does get built in Center City and all of these people are displaced, at the end of the day, people are probably going to love it. In 10 years, all of this is going to be different. We’re probably really happy there’s this beautiful complex that was developed down there and is a thriving part of the city. But right now, I really hate it.
"I have scars of this from growing up in Cleveland and watching Art Modell trying to strong-arm the city and then move them to Baltimore. I really have a strong disdain for the fact that this guy strong-armed the city by threatening to move them out of the city and all of these people that have devoted all of their time, all of their efforts, all of their money — a lifetime of fandom toward this team. And now you are going to strong-arm people against what the city wants. I really have a hard time being OK with that — I'm not OK with it. I think it's wrong.
"They're strong-arming the city, what do you do? Do you risk losing the Sixers? It just sucks! The ownership group isn't Philadelphian. He's got a New Jersey Devils team, a Philadelphia team and now a Washington team. And now they’re forcing the city to do what this guy wants and it sucks! Like I said, at the end of the day, I think we're all going to be really happy with it. ... Part of this is, growing up in Cleveland and I lost a football team for three years. I just don't think that amount of disrespect toward the citizens that allow you to have this team is appropriate."