Rylan Renteria

Spurs guard Devin Vassell sporting a Texas jersey during the Roadrunners matchup against the Longhorns in 2024.

The City of San Antonio is approaching a pivotal moment in its history. On Nov. 4, citizens will have the opportunity to vote in favor of, or against, Proposition B — a decision that will either transform Alamo City into a powerhouse or leave it lagging behind the likes of Austin, Dallas and Houston. 

If approved, Prop. B would elevate San Antonio’s downtown district, placing a new arena for the San Antonio Spurs at the heart of a reimagined Countdown City. Spearheaded by French phenom Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs are entering their most promising era since Kawhi Leonard led the team to the Conference Finals back in 2017. Though times have been tough since Leonard’s exit from the franchise in 2018, the Spurs have done more than enough to warrant a vote of confidence from the city. San Antonio has the third-most NBA Championships in the league, with four, since the start of the new millennium. That’s more than the Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, tying the dynastic Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors. 

While the city has other professional sports franchises, like the San Antonio Missions and San Antonio FC, the Spurs are the only team generating substantial revenue. San Antonio does not have to worry about dividing funds between multiple large franchises, like Houston does with the Astros, Texans and Rockets. With the city’s sports scene contextualized, there should be no reason Prop. B is not approved. If the vote fails, the Spurs should do what any smart business would do in this situation: get the hell out of dodge. 

San Antonio is nothing without the Spurs, and the team knows that. Still, ownership is willing to foot $500 million of the $1.3 billion price tag that comes with the new arena. This is the Spurs asking the city and its constituents to invest in its largest attraction outside of the Alamo. If not, there is a booming city right up I-35 that would love an NBA franchise.

The Spurs already play multiple games a year in Austin and are one of the most popular franchises in the city, alongside The University of Texas at Austin’s football program and the Dallas Cowboys. 

The choice is simple: support the team that makes the city relevant, or allow San Antonio’s legacy to forever be the city that let the Spurs get away.