SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs asked the Bexar County Commissioners Court for permission to play three home games away from the AT&T Center in the next two seasons.
In the Tuesday meeting, they asked for permission to play twice within 100 miles of their home arena in east San Antonio, and one more game outside of the United States. Those games could take place in Austin and Mexico, two markets where the team is openly working to expand their influence.
The court put it to a vote, and approved their request. Commissioner Tommy Calvert said that this is a good thing for the city and they are "excited to support this motion."
Before this past season, the Spurs asked county commissioners to allow two games in Austin, one in Mexico City, and another at the Alamodome as they celebrated 50 years in San Antonio. Some commissioners and then county judge Nelson Wolff were initially wary, but wound up approving the Non-Relocation Agreement after team ownership released a statement that the team was committed to San Antonio and Bexar County long term.
"My family became involved in the Spurs in the 90s because there was a real threat that the team would be moved. We would not let that happen then and we will not let that happen now," said Peter J Holt in a letter to the city. "I want to reassure you that the Spurs are in San Antonio to stay."
The Spurs sold out the Alamodome and set the NBA's regular season attendance record this season, and they also played their first home game in Mexico. They closed the season with two games in Austin, and head Coach Gregg Popovich said the team would be back moving forward.
Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford said before the games tipped off that San Antonio, Austin, and the area in between is the fastest-growing market in North America, and the team wants to tap into that growth from Austin all the way down to Mexico. He also addressed the fans who are worried about relocation out of the Alamo City.
"The commitment is there continues to be there, will always be there, to San Antonio. If you've gone out to see our new human performance campus at the Rock at La Cantera, that is a financial commitment and an emotional commitment to our community that is our home," he said. "I don't know how we can say any stronger, San Antonio is home."
In the Tuesday meeting, the Rock was heavily discussed, saying that when complete, it will be a half a billion dollars worth, being a "tremendous investment in the community."
Buford made a detailed presentation Tuesday, and explained the reasons the team wants to keep playing some games up in Austin.
"To have the opportunity to now grow our fanbase up I-35, but also to bring people back to Bexar County and back to San Antonio as they become part of our fanbase, as they become more familiar with our brand," he said.