Spurs’ CEO fires back at San Antonio mayor amid new arena discussion
· Yahoo Sports
Spurs’ CEO fires back at San Antonio mayor amid new arena discussion appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit casino-promo.biz for more information.
Ever since the San Antonio Spurs, their fans and the majority of city leaders started pushing for a new arena, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has not hidden her skepticism. That includes the first-year mayor now asking for a second vote after county voters have already approved funding for “Project Marvel,” the name given to a proposed downtown sports and entertainment district that would include a home for the proud NBA franchise. Ortiz Jones’ latest comments spurred (pun intended) the organization’s CEO to write a letter.
“Believing in What’s Next for San Antonio” is what RC Buford titled the note.
“Last November, the people of Bexar County made their voices heard. They approved a shared vision that invests in a new downtown home for the Spurs, strengthens the East Side and creates new opportunities across our community. We committed to respecting that vote, and we will. Now is the time to move forward together.”
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
The last line hits on the mayor’s latest claim that another local vote should be held because of a large looming budget deficit facing the City of San Antonio. Buford continued the letter by focusing on the specifics of the funds to be used for the new gym.
“This project is about strengthening San Antonio for the next generation. Over the past several years, the City, County, Rodeo and Spurs have worked together to develop a plan that creates jobs and brings new investment to our community. This is a responsible public-private partnership built around clear commitments. The Spurs and our development partners are investing more than $2 billion and covering every dollar of cost overruns.
The City’s contribution comes from visitor-based revenue, collected at the Texas State level, that is legally restricted to venues and tourism-related projects. It cannot be redirected to streets, schools, public safety or other general services. That is not a burden placed on local families. It is a way to keep visitor dollars in San Antonio, leverage billions in private investment and create new revenue that can support the services our community depends on.”
From #Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford… pic.twitter.com/P59fkRqkn1
— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) August 4, 2026
The city is set to contribute $489 million toward an arena that would sit near where the Spurs’ first home in the Alamo City stood.
“We have already seen what Spurs basketball means to our economy. During the 2026 playoffs, visitors filled hotel rooms, restaurants welcomed more customers and downtown came alive. An economic analysis estimated $164 million in net spending to the City of San Antonio and $3.4 million in City tax revenue, including $1.4 million toward the general fund. We want that momentum rooted in our downtown for decades.” Buford continued in the letter.
The Spurs are coming off their first trip to the postseason since 2019 and their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2014. With Victor Wembanyama and a core that includes blossoming stars Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle, the team is expected to contend through the next decade.
“The people who will build this project live here. Our neighbors will benefit from it. Local entrepreneurs will welcome new customers. Young people will see new career paths. Small businesses will have more opportunities to grow. That is money staying in San Antonio. That is opportunity people can feel.
The $75 million community benefits program funded by the Spurs and managed by the City and County will support workforce development, future generations and small businesses. Local hiring and vendor goals will help ensure that the people who call San Antonio home share in the project’s success.
Our responsibility is to honor the legacy that brought us here while building the next chapter with care. San Antonio does not wait for someone else to dream for us. We build our own future,” Buford added.
In closing, the Chief Executive Officer, who arrived in South Texas in 1998 as an assistant on head coach Larry Brown’s staff, sounded like a coach rallying players in addressing the citizens of San Antonio.
“The vote has taken place. The commitments have been made. The work is underway. Now I ask you to join us in building something worthy of San Antonio so that we can shape the next chapter of our legacy together.”
Related: Victor Wembanyama’s 7 teammates who joined him in France for offseason workouts