What the City of San Antonio Is Planning for the Spurs and the Sports & Entertainment District
While Bexar County is working on its own funding strategy through a proposed hotel and venue tax (see page 4) the City of San Antonio is pursuing a separate but related plan to build a Sports and Entertainment District that may include a new Spurs arena and major downtown investment.
The City’s Plan
The City’s plan, often referred to as Project Marvel and the Sports & Entertainment District claims to support:
- A new NBA‑quality arena
- A possible Convention Center expansion
- Surrounding mixed‑use development, including entertainment, retail, and hotels
The project is still in the early discussion phase, with no final structure or public vote yet determined.
No Final Deal with the Spurs—Yet
City officials, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and the City Manager’s Office, are in ongoing discussions with the Spurs, but no agreement has been reached.
At a special City Council meeting last week, Mayor Jones directly challenged the franchise: “What more can you contribute?”
She made clear that any city money drawn from the general fund must deliver long‑term community benefits and cannot come at the expense of essential services.
“Because I’m looking at 2030—we’ve got a $220 million gap in our general fund budget. How can we not think about how a deal like this might also lend support to that?”
The general fund is the City of San Antonio’s main operating budget—it pays for core public services like streets, trash collection, police, fire, parks, and libraries. If general fund dollars are redirected toward a sports venue, it could impact funding for those everyday needs, which is why Mayor Jones has emphasized caution and accountability.
“I do need the Spurs to do more,” said District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee Rodriguez. “The will for this arena is not here right now, and if we do not contribute — this arena does not happen.”
How the City Might Pay for It
City Manager Erik Walsh outlined a preliminary funding range between $350 million and $500 million, which could come from:
- Tax increment reinvestment zones
- Arena and property leases
- Tourism-driven revenue streams
Mayor Jones added:
“Why can’t we be a little bolder in our ask?… We don’t do this every day. This is a generational investment. Now is the time to negotiate.”
How It Intersects with Bexar County
Though separate, the City’s plan and Bexar County’s proposed hotel and venue tax are aligned by geography and timing. Both could help fund parts of the arena, but neither ensures construction—any progress depends on collective alignment.
What’s Next
City Council is expected to review final proposals later this year or in early 2026, after public engagement and financial analysis. A public-private partnership model may follow.
This arena isn’t just about basketball. It represents a vision for downtown redevelopment, job access, infrastructure upgrades, and equitable investment. But only if voters, city leaders, and the Spurs deliver on commitment and transparency and become aligned.
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