November 4 is a date that will be circled on the calendars hanging on the walls of the San Antonio Spurs front office.
But the team isn’t even stepping onto the NBA court that day.
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The Spurs will have eyes on a Bexar County election that could damage arena plansCredit: Getty
Instead, all eyes will be on the Bexar County election, which has huge implications on a proposed $1.3billion arena.
Voters will take to the polls to decide if county officials will be permitted to commit no more than $311million in venue taxes to help build a new multipurpose sports and entertainment district that the Spurs will call home.
If Proposition B passes, the team will commit at least $500m toward construction, and the money to cover all overruns.
Whispers ahead of election day, though, are not positive.
San Antonio Spurs plan to build $1.3bn mega arena for Wemby hits stumbling blockSpurs arena plans hit stumbling block
Public polling data indicates support is below 50 per cent for the Bexar County referendum that would pay for a quarter of the cost of the new arena.
A University of Texas at San Antonio poll indicates that “so far, roughly 40 per cent of Bexar County voters surveyed support using venue tax revenue to fund” the project.
“Support for ballot propositions is always very fluid, especially in this case where the subject matter — a venue tax — is pretty dense,” Bryan Gervais, UT San Antonio professor of political science and CPOR director, said of the upcoming vote.
“And there are organized campaigns looking to change minds and mobilize voters in the run-up the election.
“That said, it’s fair to say that the effort to secure venue tax funding for a new Spurs arena faces an uphill battle.”
Despite worrying data, Peter J. Holt, the chairman of Spurs Sports and Entertainment, has suggested there is no backup plan for a new facility.
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Plans for ‘Project Marvel’ include a new 18,000 capacity Spurs arenaCredit: City of San Antonio / PopulousNo ‘Plan B’ for Spurs arena project
“My truth, and our truth, is there’s no Plan B,” he said last week.
“This is our focus. We’re super optimistic. We’re super confident.
“We wouldn’t have committed so much money to this arena and around it if we just really didn’t believe in our hearts and our minds that this is the right thing for the Spurs and for the community.”
The team’s argument for supporting Proposition B is simple.
Venue taxes are primarily paid by visitors to the area, and will not cause any hike in property taxes for residents.
By state law, venue taxes can only be spent on things like arenas.
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The Spurs currently play home games at the Frost Bank CenterCredit: Getty
Oklahoma City has already approved plans for a new arena for the reigning NBA champion Thunder.
According to AP, that deal included only a $50m commitment from the team’s ownership group and relies heavily on sales tax revenue.
The Los Angeles Clippers, meanwhile, recently built a new home arena for more than $2bn. It has received rave reviews.
Holt added: “The fact is, of the smallest-market teams, 100 per cent of them have private-public partnerships. Every single one of them.
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“Their buildings have been funded by some private money and some public money. And we believe this is going to be best for all parties.”
The Spurs, though, face considerable opposition. San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has previously said she wants more analysis of the plan, and citizen-led groups have been speaking out against the use of public money toward any private venture.
Victor Wembanyama breaks silence on Spurs’ plans
San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama was asked about the plans in a recent media scrum.
“I think about my future — and my present — all the time, in San Antonio, of course,” the French star said.
“And recently a little bit about the arena because it’s been a subject.
“For all areas of my career I’m very intentional. Even though some things take time, patience is needed — I’ve never been one to waste time.”
What do the plans look like for a new Spurs arena?
A new basketball arena is part of a wider plan called Project Marvel, which aims to create a new sports and entertainment district in downtown San Antonio.
The Hemisfair area would be set to undergo redevelopment, with restaurants, shops and family friendly community spaces surrounding a state-of-the-art downtown facility.
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The Spurs are set to tip off their 2025-26 season against the Dallas MavericksCredit: Getty
Spurs and their superstar Wembanyama, who has been growing in the offseason, currently play at the Frost Bank Center on the east side of San Antonio.
Current plans note the new arena will have a capacity of 17,000 to 18,500, and amenities that deliver a ‘premium fan experience’ through a range of concessions, premium seating, meeting spaces and suites.
It is hoped a completed facility will be delivered for Spurs and fan use by the start of the 2032-33 NBA regular season.
If that is all to come together, the Spurs require Proposition B to pass on November 4.
“We’re just really confident that the community will come together and support this public-private partnership that extends on what has already worked and has no financial impact on households,” Holt said.
“I think that it’ll win.”
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