RealGM

The San Antonio Spurs played two sold-out games in Austin earlier this month, and now they're asking Bexar County commissioners to allow the team to return to the capital for two home games — and to host a third outside the country — in each of its next two seasons.

Commissioners have the authority to say yes or no because the county owns the Spurs' home court, the AT&T Center, and has a non-relocation agreement with the club that puts limits on how many home games it can host away from the East Side venue.

On Tuesday, the five-member Commissioners Court will vote on whether to extend an amendment to the non-relocation pact that allowed to Spurs to play its two home games in Austin, one in Mexico City and another at the Alamodome this season.

SS&E, its team rooted in one of the NBA's smaller markets, is looking to expand its fan base from Mexico to the Austin metro area, a move that's stoked San Antonio fans' fears that the team is angling to relocate to the wealthier, glitzier city up Interstate 35.

But Spurs officials have repeatedly said they're committed to San Antonio, and that bringing in more fans — and more revenue — would put the club on firmer financial footing..... Spurs officials also have mused on the possibility of playing in San Marcos or Monterrey, although it's not certain whether those cities have a venue that could be adapted to meet NBA standards.

The team's request last year reignited talks about development around the arena, such as hotels, restaurants and housing, as well as beautification of nearby Salado Creek. The Spurs and the county also have discussed future traffic improvements near the arena, including an estimated $50 million railroad underpass on Houston Street and a $7 million widening of AT&T Center Parkway.

The company had said earlier it was looking to exit its ownership in the Spurs. It doesn’t expect the sale to affect its operations with the team and AT&T Arena.

Just how much of the NBA team belongs to Aramark is not publicly disclosed. The company has owned a stake in the team since at least 2001, according to an SEC filing by Aramark that year which listed the team as a subsidiary. An Aramark spokesperson declined to disclose how much of the team it owns or when it was acquired. The Spurs didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Based on the recent Sportico valuations of the Spurs, the Aramark stake probably is around 10%, declining to about 5% after the announced sale. In 2021, Sixth Street bought 20% of the team and Michael Dell 10% at a reported $1.8 billion valuation.

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imagump1313 wrote:I'm as excited to see Wembanyama as anyone but I would really take it easy on the summer league usage.....

Have him around the guys and be a part of it but don't risk playing too much.