{"id":287638,"date":"2025-10-08T22:33:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T22:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/287638\/"},"modified":"2025-10-08T22:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T22:33:10","slug":"who-will-pay-for-a-new-spurs-arena-in-downtown-san-antonio-ksat-explains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/287638\/","title":{"rendered":"Who will pay for a new Spurs arena in downtown San Antonio? KSAT Explains"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><strong>SAN ANTONIO<\/strong> \u2013 Voters will decide on two Bexar County propositions in the Nov. 4 election, both related to the Spurs\u2019 potential relocation to a new arena in downtown San Antonio. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The price tag for that arena, which would be located at Hemisfair, is estimated at $1.3 billion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kNAFkD cuqaEv article-text\"><b>&gt;&gt;<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ksat.com\/news\/politics\/2025\/10\/01\/ballot-nov-4-election-on-funding-for-downtown-spurs-arena-and-upgrades-to-coliseum-grounds-17-texas-amendments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.ksat.com\/news\/politics\/2025\/10\/01\/ballot-nov-4-election-on-funding-for-downtown-spurs-arena-and-upgrades-to-coliseum-grounds-17-texas-amendments\/\"><b>BALLOT: Nov. 4 election on funding for downtown Spurs arena and upgrades to Coliseum grounds, 17 Texas amendments<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Here\u2019s how the proposed funding structure for the new Spurs arena will work. It would utilize a combination of tourist taxes and contributions from both Bexar County and the City of San Antonio.<\/p>\n<p>Prop B<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">If approved by voters, this proposition focuses on the funding Bexar County would contribute to a new Spurs arena. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Proposition B asks voters to approve two sources of arena funding:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Bexar County\u2019s existing 5% car rental tax.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Bexar County\u2019s portion of the local Hotel Occupancy Tax by increasing it from 1.75% to 2%.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThis is no cost to you or I as homeowners, no cost to renters, doesn\u2019t impact our sales tax,\u201d said Bobby Perez, chief legal counsel for Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai calls it a \u201ctourist tax,\u201d adding that money generated from those sources cannot be used to pay for things like streets, sidewalks, schools or housing. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kNAFkD cuqaEv article-text\">By state law, the county can only use those taxing sources to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/statutes.capitol.texas.gov\/Docs\/TX\/htm\/TX.351.htm#351.101\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/statutes.capitol.texas.gov\/Docs\/TX\/htm\/TX.351.htm#351.101\">promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">If Prop B passes, Bexar County agrees to contribute up to $311 million or 25% of the cost of the new arena \u2014 whichever is lower.<\/p>\n<p>Prop A<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Proposition A promises to keep the Frost Bank Center, the current home of the Spurs, and the Freeman Coliseum grounds next door viable. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThe Frost Bank Center cannot become the next Astrodome that sits in Houston, Texas,\u201d Sakai said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Prop A asks voters to approve dedicating an estimated $192 million to $198 million toward turning the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum into year-round rodeo grounds. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Both facilities are owned by Bexar County. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">This proposition would use the same funding sources as Prop B:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>The 5% car rental tax. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Hotel Occupancy Tax, increased to 2%.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The San Antonio Stock Show &amp; Rodeo would become the main tenant of both locations, allowing the organization to operate well outside of its 21-day season each February.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">During that time, the Spurs hit the road so the rodeo can hold nightly shows inside the Frost Bank Center. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cTheir economic impact on an annual basis for those 21 days of operating is $300 million,\u201d Perez said. \u201cI think we\u2019ve all outgrown the space. The rodeo is ready to run more days. We\u2019re ready to transform our operations into a future place-making, not only for Spurs, but for the community of San Antonio.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Elections<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kiwhtN\">More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter<\/p>\n<p>Know before you vote<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kNAFkD cuqaEv article-text\">Above the description of each proposition on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bexar.org\/DocumentCenter\/View\/4570\/Generic-Sample-Ballot-PDF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.bexar.org\/DocumentCenter\/View\/4570\/Generic-Sample-Ballot-PDF\">Bexar County ballot<\/a>, it states, \u201cTHIS IS A TAX INCREASE.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">That wording is required by the state anytime a school board or municipality proposes adjusting a tax rate. The wording is present regardless of whether or not voters will actually pay more in taxes, should the proposal pass.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The county taxes are allocated for the upkeep of parks, multi-sport facilities, youth sports programs, the Frost Bank Center, the Tobin Center and other venues.<\/p>\n<p>What the Spurs would pay<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>$500 million for the new arena.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Any additional costs that go over the contributions from the city and county.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The Spurs also agree to guarantee $1.4 billion in development around the arena, which would contribute to the city\u2019s portion of arena funding. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kNAFkD cuqaEv article-text\">More on that below, but first: <b>Why can\u2019t the Spurs pay for the arena on their own?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cWe, the Spurs, we\u2019re one of 30 teams across the country. We are the 27th out of 30 market sizes. And all the teams in our area have publicly funded facilities,\u201d Perez said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The Spurs generate less revenue due to their position near the bottom of NBA market sizes, compared to teams in larger markets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cOklahoma City, probably the most recent one, has passed a vote with sales tax that\u2019s 95% funded by the public,\u201d Perez added. \u201cThat is not uncommon for market sizes like San Antonio, Oklahoma, Memphis, Indianapolis. All have public funding sources for their facilities just because of the way the size of the markets versus the Los Angeles, a Chicago, a New York.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The deal for a new Spurs arena would NOT include new sales taxes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The Spurs would also sign a non-relocation agreement with the city and county as part of the new arena deal, meaning the organizations would promise to stay in San Antonio for another 30 years.<\/p>\n<p>An assist from the city<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The City of San Antonio agrees to contribute $489 million, or 38%, of the cost of the new Spurs arena \u2014 whichever is lower. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Approximately 52% of the city\u2019s funding would come from: <\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Rent: The Spurs would be the tenant of the arena and pay the city rent to use it. In addition, private developers would pay the city to lease the land around it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Guaranteed development: The Spurs and their private partners promise $1.4 billion in development around the arena. The city will collect the property tax growth spurred by that development and put it toward the arena. <\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">However, those funding sources do not exist without the creation of the arena and the agreement that comes with it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">What if the city doesn\u2019t get the money it\u2019s expecting from that property growth?<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cThe Spurs and the developer would be contractually obligated. And we would not make any contribution towards the arena until those things occurred,\u201d San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh said. \u201cSo, everything has got to happen at the same time.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cIt becomes a Spurs obligation and obligation of its partners,\u201d Perez said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The other 48% of the city\u2019s financial contribution would come from that same Hotel Occupancy Tax that Bexar County could tap into. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Here\u2019s how: the State of Texas collects a 6% fee on hotel stays in San Antonio.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The city can use that money to pay for a project in a three-mile zone around Hemisfair.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">It\u2019s called a Project Finance Zone, which was made possible in San Antonio by state legislation passed in 2023. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cWe can use it for expanding the convention center. We can do it to improve the Alamodome, and we can utilize it for a new arena,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cThose are the only three uses that we can utilize that state revenue on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The money is held by the state comptroller until the city has an approved project. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cIf we don\u2019t do any of those three projects, then the state will retain that money, and it will go into the state\u2019s general fund,\u201d Walsh said. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Under state law, like the county, the city cannot use the money from the hotel tax on things like street maintenance, police officers or other core services. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">The city\u2019s portion of the arena funding is not up for public vote. Instead, it will be decided on by San Antonio City Council. <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">What if Prop B doesn\u2019t pass and the Spurs don\u2019t get county funding? <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cWe think once the voter learns that it\u2019s funded by visitors, there\u2019s no impact to them as taxpayers and it leverages almost another $2 billion by our companies, they\u2019ll see it as a good deal, and they\u2019re going to pass it,\u201d Perez said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Will the Spurs leave San Antonio if they don\u2019t get a new arena?<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kNAFkD cuqaEv article-text\">\u201cI\u2019m going to stick by my answer,\u201d Perez said. \u201cWe\u2019re optimistic and excited they\u2019ll say yes to Prop A, and they will say yes to Prob B.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Early voting in Bexar County is Oct. 20-31. Election day is Nov. 4.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 kNAFkD cuqaEv article-text\"><b>Read also:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\"\/>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\"\/><\/ul>\n<p>Copyright 2025 by KSAT &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SAN ANTONIO \u2013 Voters will decide on two Bexar County propositions in the Nov. 4 election, both related&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":287639,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5133],"tags":[5229,7288,13239,7236,147925,13123,7202,7203,7199,358,3187,67,586,132,5230,68,2969,6639],"class_list":{"0":"post-287638","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-san-antonio","8":"tag-america","9":"tag-bexar-county","10":"tag-city-hall","11":"tag-downtown","12":"tag-ksat-explains","13":"tag-project-marvel","14":"tag-san-antonio","15":"tag-sanantonio","16":"tag-spurs","17":"tag-texas","18":"tag-tx","19":"tag-united-states","20":"tag-united-states-of-america","21":"tag-unitedstates","22":"tag-unitedstatesofamerica","23":"tag-us","24":"tag-usa","25":"tag-vote-2025"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115340928783410907","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=287638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=287638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=287638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=287638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}