The NBA’s San Antonio Spurs are experiencing a resurgence thanks to the “Wembymania” sparked by the arrival of French basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama, who was the top overall draft pick. This has led to a significant boost in ticket sales, merchandise sales, and television ratings for the Spurs and the NBA.
Taking advantage of this newfound momentum, the Spurs are reportedly exploring the development of a new arena in downtown San Antonio. The proposed arena would be a central part of a larger sports and entertainment district that includes a new stadium for the San Antonio Missions, the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
The common ownership among the teams is a key factor driving this potential development. Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt is also a partner of the Missions, along with other shareholders and former Spurs legends David Robinson and Manu Ginobili.
Currently, the Spurs play at the 21-year-old AT&T Center on San Antonio’s east side, which has not generated the expected adjacent development. Additionally, the Missions’ Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium on the far-west side does not fully comply with Minor League Baseball facility standards. The lease for the AT&T Center is set to expire in 2032.
While Spurs officials have not made any official comments regarding the new arena discussions, it appears that the team is strategically capitalizing on its recent success. In addition to the potential new arena, the Spurs are also developing a practice facility as part of a $500 million mixed-use complex known as The Rock at La Cantera, set to open later this year.
The Spurs’ renewed focus on infrastructure development and capitalizing on the excitement around the team could contribute to their continued success both on and off the court.