San Antonio, October 10, 2025
News Summary
Bobby Perez, General Counsel for the San Antonio Spurs, faces scrutiny over the team’s proposed arena funding as public concern grows about potential relocation if voters reject it. At a recent town hall, attended by Councilwoman Teri Castillo, citizens voiced their anxieties regarding fiscal impacts, job creation, and the overall feasibility of the project, which seeks up to $311 million for a new arena and $192 million for upgrades to existing venues. Early voting begins October 20, with the election set for November 4.
San Antonio
Key point: Bobby Perez, General Counsel for the San Antonio Spurs, did not confirm whether the team would relocate if voters reject a proposed publicly funded arena in November. The Spurs’ legal representative focused on the upcoming election date and urged support for Propositions A and B while declining to answer directly on relocation contingency.
What happened
The town hall drew a large and vocal crowd at the Mexican American Unity Council building and was organized by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo. Attendees pressed for clear answers about the team’s future and the proposed arena funding, with some participants accusing team counsel of dishonesty. The event highlighted sharp public concern about fiscal impacts, local jobs, and project feasibility ahead of the November ballot.
Immediate stakes and ballot measures
Proposition B seeks voter approval for up to $311 million in funding for a new Spurs arena, contributing to a project with a total estimated arena cost of $1.3 billion. Proposition A proposes $192 million to upgrade the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum to support year-round events. Funding for the propositions would come from tourist taxes and a mix of contributions from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. Early voting begins on October 20, 2025, and the election is scheduled for November 4, 2025.
Legal and operational assurances
The Spurs previously agreed to a non-relocation agreement with the city and county that would keep the team in San Antonio for another 30 years as part of the proposed arena deal. Perez also noted that the Spurs are currently among the least profitable teams in the NBA, with the franchise’s market size ranked 27th out of 30.
Jobs, wages and revenue-sharing
Perez stated that jobs created at the new arena would be paid at prevailing wages but did not confirm if they would be union positions. When asked about a revenue-sharing agreement proposed by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, Perez stated it would be impossible due to the Spurs’ operational costs at the arena. Perez defended the project’s potential economic impact, saying the proposal could generate significant investment in the surrounding area.
Public concerns and expert critique
Concerns were raised at the meeting about the proposed land bridge associated with the new arena, including questions about how that element would be funded. Heywood Sanders, an opponent of Project Marvel and a UT-San Antonio professor, expressed doubts about the feasibility of the new arena and related infrastructure. Sanders also noted that while the NBA is not currently pursuing team relocations, the Spurs could move if a larger financial opportunity arose. Sanders challenged the Spurs’ assertion that only visitors would financially support the arena, pointing to the mix of funding sources that include property taxes and visitor taxes around Hemisfair.
Voting and city decision process
The city’s portion of the arena funding is not subject to a public vote and will be decided by the San Antonio City Council. Voters will decide Propositions A and B at the ballot on November 4, 2025, with early voting opening on October 20, 2025.
Bottom line
The town hall underscored uncertainty around relocation and financing. While the Spurs’ counsel avoided confirming any relocation plans tied to the outcome of the November vote, the meeting intensified public scrutiny on project costs, funding sources, wage and union questions, and the long-term economic balance for the city and county.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Relocation confirmation | Bobby Perez, General Counsel for the San Antonio Spurs, did not confirm whether the team would relocate if voters reject a proposed publicly funded arena in November. |
| Election date | Perez emphasized the team’s focus on the election date, November 4, and encouraged voters to support Propositions A and B. |
| Town hall | The town hall event took place at the Mexican American Unity Council building and was organized by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo. |
| Proposition B | Proposition B seeks voter approval for up to $311 million in funding for the new Spurs arena, with a total estimated arena cost of $1.3 billion. |
| Proposition A | Proposition A aims to allocate $192 million to upgrade the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum to host year-round events. |
| Funding sources | The funding for the propositions would come from tourist taxes and a mix of contributions from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio. |
| Early voting | Early voting for the propositions begins on October 20, 2025. |
| Non-relocation agreement | The Spurs have agreed to a non-relocation agreement with the city and county, ensuring they would remain in San Antonio for another 30 years as part of the new arena deal. |
| Profitability | Perez noted that the Spurs are currently among the least profitable teams in the NBA due to their market size ranking 27th out of 30. |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Not specified | Town hall at the Mexican American Unity Council building organized by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo | Occurred; event details reported |
| October 20, 2025 | Early voting for Propositions A and B begins | Scheduled |
| November 4, 2025 | Election on Propositions A and B | Scheduled |
Statistics and simple visual charts
Spurs market profitability rank (NBA teams):
Proposed public funding relative amounts:
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Bobby Perez confirm whether the Spurs would relocate if voters reject the proposed arena?
Bobby Perez, General Counsel for the San Antonio Spurs, did not confirm whether the team would relocate if voters reject a proposed publicly funded arena in November.
What did Perez emphasize about the timing of the vote?
Perez emphasized the team’s focus on the election date, November 4, and encouraged voters to support Propositions A and B.
Where was the town hall and who organized it?
The town hall event took place at the Mexican American Unity Council building and was organized by District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo.
How much funding does Proposition B seek and what is the estimated total arena cost?
Proposition B seeks voter approval for up to $311 million in funding for the new Spurs arena, with a total estimated arena cost of $1.3 billion.
What is Proposition A for?
Proposition A aims to allocate $192 million to upgrade the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum to host year-round events.
When does early voting begin?
Early voting for the propositions begins on October 20, 2025.
Do the Spurs have a non-relocation agreement?
The Spurs have agreed to a non-relocation agreement with the city and county, ensuring they would remain in San Antonio for another 30 years as part of the new arena deal.
What did Perez say about the Spurs’ profitability?
Perez noted that the Spurs are currently among the least profitable teams in the NBA due to their market size ranking 27th out of 30.
Will jobs at the new arena be paid at prevailing wages and will they be union positions?
Perez stated that the jobs created at the new arena would be paid at prevailing wages but did not confirm if they would be union positions.
What did Perez say about the revenue-sharing proposal from the mayor?
Perez stated it would be impossible to implement the revenue-sharing agreement proposed by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones due to the Spurs’ operational costs at the arena.
Is the city’s portion of funding subject to a public vote?
The city’s portion of the arena funding is not subject to a public vote but will be decided by the San Antonio City Council.
Where would funding for the propositions come from?
The funding for the propositions would come from tourist taxes and a mix of contributions from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio.
Were there concerns about the land bridge and funding sources?
Concerns were raised over the proposed land bridge associated with the new arena, questioning how it would be funded.
Who expressed opposition and what did they say about relocation risk?
Heywood Sanders, an opponent of Project Marvel and UT-San Antonio professor, expressed concerns about the feasibility of the new arena and related infrastructure.
Did Sanders comment on the possibility of Spurs relocation?
Sanders noted that while the NBA isn’t currently interested in team relocations, the Spurs could move if a larger financial opportunity arises.
How did the audience respond during the town hall?
The audience was vocal and confrontational, with attendees demanding direct answers from Perez, including accusations of dishonesty.
How did Perez characterize the arena’s economic impact?
Perez defended the economic impact of the Spurs and the proposed arena project, claiming it could generate significant investment in the area.
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Additional Resources
- WOAI: Public Question Spurs Arena Plans
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Spurs
- News4SA: Spurs Ticket Affordability Concerns
- Google Search: Spurs Arena Funding
- Axios: Reader Opinions on Spurs Arena
- Google Scholar: Spurs Arena Financial Impact
- Express News: Opinion on Project Marvel Arena
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spurs Arena
- KSAT: Who Will Pay for New Spurs Arena
- Google News: Spurs Arena San Antonio
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
