The Philadelphia 76ers will partner with Comcast Spectacor, their current landlord, to build a new arena in South Philadelphia and abandon a deal with the city to move downtown. The stunning reversal comes as a relief to critics of the plan to put a $1.

Plans to build an arena for the Sixers in Center City have fallen through, and the team plans to stay in South Philadelphia, sources close to the negotiations say.

The Philadelphia 76ers are staying in South Philadelphia in the latest -- and likely final -- twist in their quest to build a new arena. The Josh Harris-owned 76ers and the NHL's Flyers (owned by Comcast Spectacor) made an announcement Monday morning that the two teams will continue sharing a home in the South Philly Stadium Complex and will build a new arena slated to open by 2031 in a "50-50 joint venture.