With the proposed downtown San Antonio Spurs arena and entertainment district on the ballot, San Antonio is at a tipping point.

The Nov. 4 election is the first and perhaps only chance the voters have to weigh in on funding for the arena through a ballot measure known as Proposition B.

The plans have sparked conversation about the Spurs’ role in shaping the city and its future, a topic our nonprofit newsroom is taking on in our annual CityFest event, happening this week. CityFest 2025 is bringing together the most influential leaders and stakeholders to unpack the financial and cultural implications of the proposed downtown Spurs arena, but the conversation isn’t complete without the voices of everyday San Antonians.

The City of San Antonio expects the new Spurs arena to anchor a new sports and entertainment district near Hemisfair, known as Project Marvel, which would include housing and mixed-use development.

We visited Pearl Farmers Market and the Mission Open Air Market and turned our lens to the people of San Antonio. We asked two questions: 1. How have the Spurs shaped San Antonio? and 2. Do you agree with public funding going toward a downtown Spurs arena and entertainment district? Why or why not?

Here’s a roundup of some of their responses.

Editor’s note: The views expressed in this photo essay belong to the individuals interviewed. They have been edited for length and clarity.

Gregory McEwen, 36, is a graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio and St. Mary’s University School of Law. McEwen, a lifelong resident of San Antonio, says it’s hard to separate the basketball team from the identity of the city, but says he isn’t in support of public funding for a new sports arena. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Gregory McEwen, 36

“Public funding, funding private profit is a tough go. … So what is it also that they are doing to benefit the public? I am OK with that if they also have options to benefit small business and locals in the area and don’t price them out.”

Ruben Guerrero, 26, has lived in San Antonio since he was 5. Guerrero says that San Antonio’s downtown needs to grow, so he’s excited about the arena project. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Ruben Guerrero, 26

“The Spurs are family. San Antonio is family. It’s still small town, big city, and then with this new Project Marvel, I’m excited just because it’s gonna grow.”

Sarah Ramirez, 28, has lived in San Antonio for nine years. Ramirez says she is concerned about the upkeep and effects on the the surrounding areas from a new arena. “What’s gonna happen to the rest of San Antonio?” she asked. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Sarah Ramirez, 28

“If the majority of the infrastructure funding is going to downtown to accommodate this new building, when are they ever going to get to anything else? So no, I am not for it and I think the city should put that money really back into the city for other parts of town, instead of just downtown, because that’s for tourists, not for San Antonians.”

San Antonio native Jeffrey Lopez, 37, is fully in support of the downtown sports and entertainment district. Lopez is a frequent attendee of Spurs basketball games in the city and says he wants a “better experience” for fans like him before and after the games. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Jeffrey Lopez, 37

“The Spurs are really the only consistent major league team that we’ve ever had and so a lot of San Antonio’s culture is built around the Spurs. … I think that San Antonio’s downtown has a lot more that we can offer. … Having the Spurs back downtown and having the city built around that will help complement each other.”

25-year-old musician Lenny Arias moved to San Antonio two years ago and is originally from El Paso. Arias has also lived in Miami, where he said the basketball team culture is very similar for the Heat. Arias says the Spurs already have a few options to pick from locally that can serve as great game arenas. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Lenny Arias, 25

“I can’t imagine why they’d want to build another arena, let alone with public funding — something that can go toward the roads or anything else. I’m sure it would be great to have another arena, probably for many purposes. But the Alamodome right now … there’s all sorts of things there. They could easily have them be at home there.”

29-year-old Melissa Perez currently lives in downtown San Antonio. Perez says she appreciates the Spurs but would rather see city funding go toward other city needs. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Melissa Perez, 29

“I definitely think that they have contributed to the community and the culture. … I think the arena is a good idea, but I don’t think public funding should go toward it just because I feel like there’s bigger issues within San Antonio, especially with all the construction — all of the stuff that needs to be fixed, that’s not fixed.”

Alejandro Chapa resides near Loop 1604 and Culebra and has lived in San Antonio for 20 years. Chapa says it is difficult to form a political opinion about the Spurs but they have brought happiness to people in the city. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Alejandro Chapa

“It’s very difficult to give an opinion. I mean, it all depends — If it’s beneficial for us as fans, I would be in agreement. But, if it’s only beneficial for the team, I don’t agree.”

Small business owner Cheri White, 67, moved to San Antonio in 2020 and has lived all over the country. White says she sees too much emphasis on the Spurs and that the sports team is “not the end all, be all” of the city. While she loves the Spurs, White says the city should focus on funding other needs for the city. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Cheri White, 67

“We’ve got a lot of homeless people in San Antonio and I could see money spent in a better way. The Spurs are megamillionaires at this point. I think we should contribute something because we will benefit as a city, but I don’t think it should be a vast amount where we cut other programs that are so necessary.”

South Side resident Isabel Stahl, 69, says she and her husband have different opinions regarding funding for a new downtown Spurs arena. She mostly supports the proposition, while her husband does not. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Isabel Stahl, 69

“I am in support, but not all in support. But I am in support as far as how they help colleges, all of the things that they do. I believe they are doing good for San Antonio.”

Lifelong San Antonio resident Victoria Palacios, 38, and her partner Patrick live on the South Side. Victoria says she grew up seeing a lot of community around the Spurs but the team, like all sports, has changed. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Victoria Palacios, 38

“I understand why they want to do that. However, I feel like there’s so many other things that public funding could go to instead of just another sports team. I feel like the Spurs may stay regardless. I mean we’ve built them how many arenas already? It started with the Freeman and Alamodome and then AT&T and then now those are becoming obsolete. We’re going to have all these arenas, for what?”

West Side resident Humberto Barrera, 72, has lived in San Antonio his entire life. Barrera is not a sports or basketball fan but agrees that the Spurs have had a positive impact on the city. Barrera said funding for a new sports arena should fall solely on the Spurs organization because “they can afford it.” Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Humberto Barrera, 72

“I’m not going to get anything out of it, since I am not a fan. I think they make enough money that they can afford it. Their bosses and the organization make millions of dollars. Why should I contribute to what they want? Simple as that.”

West Side resident Richard Alvarado, 26, is a San Antonio native. Alvarado says the Spurs’ influence in the city has been consistent as the team’s members have changed over the years and wants to see the city grow and embrace a bigger-city culture. Credit: Amber Esparza / San Antonio Report

Richard Alvarado, 26

“Every city is kind of getting bigger and bigger and eventually we are going to have to follow that process too, you know? We can still kind of stick with that same old culture but eventually we are going to have to have something new to bring in more revenue, more stuff around the downtown area.”

Morgan Severson is the Community Engagement Editor for the San Antonio Report. She’s formerly a news associate for CNN and has previously reported for the Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman,...