Spurs

[Thunderkat]

STAY SPURS STAY!!!

Yeah! Finally somebody that agrees with me. I think it is rude to tell the Spurs to go. :lol

[matt]

We're getting a little off topic here, but I'm a real fan and I was, and still am, dead set against the SBC center deal. It's not that I don't think that the Spurs deserve a better place to play than the Alamodome, and as is typical in politics, this was presented to the public in a misleading way; i.e, vote against the arena and you're against the Spurs.

The basic problem with this deal was that the city paid something like 67% of the costs and receives 0% of any profit; this in a city with LOTS of pressing financial problems. In fact, the deal was so bad that it had the dubious distinction of being the most blatant example of a sports franchise fleecing a city in a lengthy NY times article written back when the deal was going through.

There simply is NO REASON why the people of San Antonio could not have negotiated a better deal with the Spurs on this one. Regarding the absurd "no cost to residents" angle via the rental car/hotel surcharges that funded this deal, just wait until we jockey for presenting a major aquarium convention in town and you get an idea of what it costs visitors above and beyond the typical hotel/rental car fees. If you think this doesn't have an impact on the feasability of hosting events for out of towners, you're in for a surprise. After running my guitar festival for years, I was frustrated by how much hotel costs went up due to the SBC center deal.

Now, to be fair, it's not only San Antonio that has tried to milk the cash cow of convention visitors dry. In NY, hotel taxes are now close to 17%. People still flock there, so maybe I'm grousing about nothing.

[jaded]

I'm a business owner in San Antonio and even though I'm not directly involved with any type of tourism I still sell more back care products when the city is doing well & feeling good... trickle down works and always has! My business has grown 230% this month over last month. Of course I can't say that if the spurs weren’t in the playoffs we wouldn’t have done well, but I believe we did better because they were.

Of course we can argue the politics of the SBC Center and the Alamodome before that. I will agree that we could have done a better job, but as a whole SA is doing well. What I don’t understand is why they put the SBC Center where they did... The quarry at Starlight Terrace was a much better location IMO. That’s the point that I think is worth fighting about. It was just stupid to put a high traffic draw right next door to another high traffic draw.

Did anyone go to one of the high school graduations in the Convention Center while the Spurs were playing next door? Good move city counsel!!! I wonder who made all the money on that deal.

[Sherri]

Being a part of the celebrations at the Alamodome was outstanding. The support this city has for the Spurs is a sight to be seen. To watch the Alamodome fill to capacity was incredible - it was electrifying to say the least...all came with an intensity to celebrate. And the reaction the Spurs themselves had....made me feel they are a part of this community. What this Championship & the 2 others has done for this city is big in so many ways. If nothing else....it UNITES this city where in most cities it doesn't. San Antonio is growing fast, but it continues to keep its' smalltown heart. Hope that continues.

Hubby & I (he did it for me! :wub ) took the chance to join in the celebrations downtown yesterday - will never forget it - it was overwhelming to see. :P Can't wait to do it again next year. ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

We watched it on the tube, I can only imagine the intensity in person! All I could think was ... there are at least 60,000 insane people in SA, glad you & Gilbert were two of them :P

I have had many opportunities in my career to leave San Antonio & always choose to stay. I travel all over the US for my work, and I have never encountered ANYTHING close to SA'ism. We have a VERY unique city & culture, I hope it continues to survive and grow!

I thought it was cool that Tony did the "French Rap", after just a little prodding by Bowen. Bowen did a great job of MC'ing, and Horry has become "one of us". Great team, great city, great "DYNASTY"

Please note - Born & Raised in SA ... maybe a "little" biased