The Spurs want to build a $1.3bn arena at the heart of downtown, but the project might not get off the ground
But the team won’t even be taking the court in an NBA game that day.
Instead, attention will shift to the Bexar County election, which carries major stakes for a proposed $1.3 billion arena project.
Voters will decide whether county officials can allocate up to $311 million in venue taxes to help fund a new multipurpose sports and entertainment district that would serve as the Spurs’ future home.
If Proposition B is approved, the Spurs would contribute at least $500 million toward construction costs and cover any overruns.
However, early chatter leading up to election day hasn’t been encouraging.
Spurs arena plans hit stumbling block
Recent polling shows that support for the Bexar County referendum—which would cover about a quarter of the new arena’s cost—remains below the 50 percent mark.
According to a University of Texas at San Antonio survey, “only about 40 percent of Bexar County voters currently back the use of venue tax revenue to help fund the project.”
“Public opinion on ballot measures can shift easily, particularly when the issue—like a venue tax—is complex,” said Bryan Gervais, a UT San Antonio political science professor and director of the Center for Public Opinion Research.
“There are active campaigns on both sides working to persuade voters and drive turnout as election day approaches.”
“That being said, it’s clear that the push to obtain venue tax funding for the proposed Spurs arena is facing an uphill climb.”
Even with the concerning polling numbers, Spurs Sports and Entertainment chairman Peter J. Holt has indicated that there is no contingency plan in place for an alternative arena solution.
No ‘Plan B’ for Spurs arena project
“My truth—and our truth—is that there is no Plan B,” he said last week.
“This is where all our focus is. We’re incredibly optimistic and confident. We wouldn’t have invested so heavily in this arena and the surrounding development if we didn’t truly believe, both in our hearts and minds, that this is the best move for the Spurs and for our community.”
The team’s case for passing Proposition B is straightforward: venue taxes are mostly paid by tourists, not local residents, and the measure wouldn’t raise property taxes.
Under state law, venue tax revenue can only be used for projects like arenas and similar facilities.
Oklahoma City has already moved forward with plans for a new arena for the defending NBA champion Thunder.
According to the Associated Press, that agreement required just a $50 million contribution from the team’s ownership group and depends largely on revenue from sales taxes.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers recently completed a new arena valued at more than $2 billion — one that has been met with widespread praise.
Holt noted, “The reality is that every small-market team in the league operates under a public-private partnership. Every single one of them.”
“Their arenas have all been financed through a mix of public and private funds, and we believe that approach serves everyone’s best interests,” Holt said.
However, the Spurs are encountering significant resistance. San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has publicly called for a deeper review of the proposal, while several community groups have voiced objections to using taxpayer dollars for what they view as a private enterprise.
Victor Wembanyama Addresses Spurs’ Arena Plans
San Antonio’s franchise star, Victor Wembanyama, shared his thoughts on the proposed arena when speaking with reporters recently.
“I think about my future — and my present — in San Antonio all the time,” the French phenom said. “And lately, the arena has definitely been part of that conversation.
“I’m very intentional about every stage of my career. Some things take patience, but I’ve never been someone who wastes time.”
Inside the Proposed Spurs Arena Project
The new arena would serve as the centerpiece of Project Marvel, an ambitious plan to transform downtown San Antonio into a sports and entertainment hub.
The Hemisfair district would see major redevelopment, featuring restaurants, retail spaces, and family-friendly public areas surrounding a modern, world-class facility designed to anchor the city’s next generation of community and cultural events.
The Spurs, along with superstar Victor Wembanyama—who has been developing his game over the offseason—currently play at the Frost Bank Center on San Antonio’s east side.
Under current plans, the new arena would seat between 17,000 and 18,500 fans and offer a “premium fan experience” with upgraded concessions, premium seating options, meeting areas, and suites.
Officials aim to have the facility ready for use by the start of the 2032-33 NBA season.
For this vision to become reality, Proposition B must pass on November 4.
“We’re very confident the community will come together to support this public-private partnership, which builds on what’s already successful and won’t affect household finances,” Holt said.
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