Both sticking points boil down to funding. And it’s unclear if the Sixers are willing to spend more to make the Center City arena a reality.

Philadelphia City Council kicked off a series of hearings on the proposed Sixers arena, planned for Market East. Officials made a full-court press while opponents continue to speak out.

If the arena project is to be approved by the end of the year — as the 76ers have requested and as Mayor Parker is aiming for ― lawmakers would have to vote it out of committee in just three weeks.