Spurs-backed campaign spent nearly $8 million as Bexar County voters approved new arena funding plan

A high-cost political campaign helped shape a narrow election outcome

A political campaign aligned with Spurs Sports & Entertainment spent nearly $8 million to help secure voter approval for Bexar County’s Proposition B, a measure authorizing up to $311 million in venue-tax revenue to help finance a new downtown arena. The proposal passed in the November 4, 2025 election with just over 52% of the vote.

The spending flowed largely through a political action committee, “Win Together,” which reported raising more than $7 million during the campaign. Disclosures showed most of that funding came from the Spurs organization, including both cash contributions and in-kind support such as advertising and consulting services. Separate filings also showed additional spending outside the PAC.

What voters approved and how the financing is structured

Proposition B focused on Bexar County’s share of the project. The funding relies on venue-tax revenue tied to tourism-related activity, including hotel occupancy taxes and rental-car taxes. The measure authorized an increase in the hotel portion of the county venue tax and affirmed use of the existing car-rental tax, with the county contribution capped at $311 million.

The arena plan described to voters contemplated a project cost of about $1.3 billion. Under the framework publicly outlined during the election period, the financing included:

• Up to $311 million from Bexar County venue-tax revenue, contingent on voter approval.

• Up to $489 million from the City of San Antonio under a structure tied to the broader redevelopment plan.

• At least $500 million from Spurs Sports & Entertainment, along with a commitment to cover construction cost overruns.

The proposed site has been tied to the former Institute of Texan Cultures property at Hemisfair, and city plans discussed publicly during the campaign included acquiring the property for roughly $60 million.

Parallel ballot question and voter sentiment leading into Election Day

Win Together also campaigned for Proposition A, a separate measure that voters approved with about 56% support. Proposition A authorized up to $192 million in venue-tax revenue for upgrades and redevelopment of county-owned facilities near the Frost Bank Center and Freeman Coliseum, an initiative associated with sustaining and expanding major events such as the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Public polling released before the election indicated mixed support for Proposition B, with some surveys showing a closely divided electorate. Early voting turnout in Bexar County reached levels described at the time as unusually high for an odd-year November election.

Timeline and next steps

The Spurs’ current lease at Frost Bank Center extends through 2032. Planning documents and public discussions during the campaign period projected the new downtown arena could be ready in time for the 2032–33 NBA season, with design and development work continuing after the election.

The arena proposal paired public venue-tax financing with private funding commitments and a broader downtown redevelopment plan, while leaving key project execution steps—final design, construction schedules, and related development milestones—to subsequent approvals and implementation.