Millions in Ads and Giveaways Helped Push Project Marvel Across the Finish Line
San Antonians have spoken, and the money talked loudest. Voters on Tuesday approved Propositions A and B, clearing the way for the Spurs’ latest arena and the larger Project Marvel redevelopment—a win powered by unprecedented corporate spending.
Proposition A (Coliseum)
YES: 137,804 | NO: 108,671 | Outcome: PASSED
• Proposition B (Downtown)
YES: 128,642 | NO: 118,068 | Outcome: PASSED
Related: Election Results 2025
Turnout shattered records for a special-purpose election. Buses rolled voters to polls with ‘treats’, commercials on mobile phone games, streaming services, cable, everywhere you turn. Free T-shirts and tickets flooded neighborhoods as Spurs ownership and partner corporations—among them Airbnb and Dell—invested millions in promoting a “Yes” vote.
Mayor Jones reacted to Prop B passing stating:
“The people of San Antonio have voted to approve the county’s contribution toward the proposed Spurs arena, and I will work to ensure this generational investment helps to revitalize our downtown and strengthen our city. Great cities are built through collaboration, persistence, and a willingness to keep working toward bold visions. Our urban core represents an opportunity to remake a vital part of our city—one that can drive economic activity, create quality jobs, and add affordable housing stock that our community desperately needs. I remain committed to working with my Council colleagues, City Staff, the Spurs, and with community leaders to develop a plan that ushers in an era of progress and affordability downtown.”
The campaign blurred the line between civic engagement and brand marketing.
They told us it was about pride, said one East Side voter. But when billionaires spend this kind of money, you know who really wins.
Some point out that the Spurs already play in one of the league’s newer facilities (the 12th newest arena in the NBA) making this the team’s fourth publicly supported venue in franchise history. Supporters say the project will create jobs and revitalize the Coliseum corridor. Opponents argue it symbolizes a city rescuing billionaires while everyday workers struggle on minimum wage, sky-rocketing healthcare and no food benefits.
The Spurs have now secured their 4th new arena.
