San Antonio Council Rejects $489 Million Spurs Arena Vote 6-5
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Aug 17
San Antonio Council Rejects $489 Million Spurs Arena Vote 6-5
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Aug 17
Summary
A 6-5 City Council vote on Monday blocked a Nov. 3 ballot measure on San Antonio’s planned $489 million contribution to a new downtown Spurs arena.
The decision keeps intact a $1.3 billion financing plan under which Bexar County already approved $311 million in venue taxes last November and the Spurs pledged at least $500 million, including cost overruns.
Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones had pushed for a citywide vote, arguing the city’s outlook had worsened since the county vote and citing a projected $158 million deficit in 2027.
City officials are not legally required to seek voter approval because the city share would be financed through revenue bonds backed by sources including Spurs rent, land leases and designated tax revenue.
Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said the vote lets the project move ahead, shifting focus to delivering the downtown arena and surrounding district.