San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg has been advocating for the reimbursement owed to the city under a deal established in 2015, aimed at securing a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise for the city. Despite a lengthy wait of over seven months, the mayor expressed frustration that this financial matter should have been resolved much sooner.
The Spurs organization was called upon by Mayor Nirenberg to fulfill its reimbursement obligations stemming from the agreement, which was designed to enhance San Antonio’s chances of acquiring an MLS team. In 2015, both San Antonio and Bexar County contributed $9 million each to purchase Toyota Field, which is leased to San Antonio FC, a minor league soccer club under the ownership of Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E).
Per the terms of the lease, San Antonio FC was obligated to repay up to $5 million over several years if the city did not secure an MLS franchise. Local officials had hoped for a successful expansion bid, but with Austin ultimately landing the MLS team, the dynamics shifted.
In December 2022, Bexar County officials decided to relieve the Spurs of their reimbursement payments, which amounted to $5 million—split evenly between the city and the county. However, the county opted not to pursue its $2.5 million share.
On Thursday, the Public Facility Corporation is scheduled to vote on the proposed settlement. While SS&E has agreed to repay the city, a significant portion of the funds is earmarked for renovations at Toyota Field, a decision that Mayor Nirenberg disputes.
“I’ve always wanted the money to come back into the general fund,” Nirenberg stated. “Then we can determine the best ways to allocate those funds, especially in light of the current $158 million budget gap.”
Addressing the $158 Million Budget Gap
In her efforts to tackle the $158 million budget deficit, Mayor Nirenberg has reached out to prominent business leaders and philanthropic figures in San Antonio, including CEOs from H-E-B, Whataburger, USAA, and Valero, to solicit their support in fundraising initiatives for nonprofits and community programs currently funded by taxpayers.
Furthermore, she proposed redirecting approximately $100 million in remaining Ready to Work funds toward initiatives that are presently reliant on the general fund. With potential voter approval, this strategy could alleviate the financial burden on core services without necessitating an increase in property taxes.
“We’re discussing the possibility of raising property taxes for the first time in 30 years,” Nirenberg noted. “It is crucial that we thoughtfully explore available resources and seek higher returns on investment for our residents’ contributions.”
*Watch the full interview in the video player above.*
