Populous Replaces Arena Rendering After Social Media Flags Absence of Women Fans

The design firm behind the new Philadelphia arena quietly revised one of its exterior renderings after online observers noticed it depicted a crowd of nearly all male fans, according to a report from Front Office Sports.

Days after the Flyers and 76ers jointly unveiled renderings for the privately funded venue they are developing in South Philadelphia, the project’s website swapped in an updated image showing a more mixed crowd of Flyers fans arriving at the building. The original image, produced by design firm Populous, drew quick criticism on social media for what many saw as an exclusionary portrayal of the fanbase — an ironic note given the arena will also host Philadelphia’s WNBA franchise when it arrives in 2030.

Some sharp-eyed users did spot what appeared to be two women seated on the arena’s steps in the initial version, but the overall composition nonetheless skewed heavily male. One post jokingly declared that “hockey is for boys and boys only.”

A Populous spokesperson told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the firm took responsibility for the rendering and moved quickly to provide a replacement, which now appears on the project site.

The venue, a 50/50 joint venture between the city’s NBA and NHL teams, will rise on the grounds of the former Spectrum, the storied arena that housed the Flyers and 76ers for roughly three decades and hosted countless landmark concerts. Developers have said the new design pays homage to that history.

“This is a new era for Philadelphia sports,” said Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA), the Flyers’ parent company, in the original announcement, describing the site’s legacy under Ed Snider and the Spectrum as what makes the project special. Comcast shares closed recently at $25.17, up 2.11% from the prior close of $24.65, valuing the media and telecom company at roughly $92.5 billion.

Josh Harris, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and the 76ers’ managing partner, emphasized the project’s partnership with Mayor Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson, pledging thousands of jobs and lasting economic impact for the city alongside an arena honoring Philadelphia’s sports and entertainment culture.

What to watch

• Further design updates or community feedback as the arena project advances through city approvals.
• Project milestones from the HBSE-Comcast venture, including construction timelines and job-creation commitments.
• Details on the WNBA franchise’s 2030 debut and its integration into the new venue’s branding and marketing.

Source: original release