San Antonio councilwoman calls Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' revenue-sharing proposal with Spurs 'dangerous' - San Antonio Current

District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito criticized Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones' call for the Spurs to engage in a revenue-sharing agreement, labeling the proposal as “dangerous. ” She cautioned that such demands might prompt the NBA team and other businesses to leave San Antonio, highlighting that no other city imposes similar agreements on its NBA teams. Jones contends that revenue from concessions and naming rights is necessary to address the city's budget deficit. The mayor's proposal coincides with an impending vote on increasing the visitor tax to support a $1. 3 billion arena for the Spurs, where the city has committed $489 million.

If voters reject the tax increase, the existing agreement with the Spurs will be nullified. Alderete Gavito described the mayor’s push as a potential “shakedown” of the Spurs, warning it could deter businesses from operating in the city. While some analysts speculate about her ambitions for a mayoral run, she insists her focus remains on serving her District 7 constituents. Professional sports teams in North America rarely share revenue with their municipalities, with the Green Bay Packers being a notable exception.