As the San Antonio Spurs advance in the playoffs, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is seeking payment from the team’s ownership group. Jones sent letters to Spurs Sports & Entertainment Chairman Peter J. Holt and minority owner Michael Dell, requesting reimbursement for a decade-old soccer deal gone sour.

Background on the Deal

In 2015, the city and Bexar County paid $9 million each to acquire Toyota Field, with the intention of bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to San Antonio. However, when Austin was awarded the franchise instead, the deal fell through. The Spurs organization had agreed to pay up to $5 million over several years if the MLS franchise was not awarded, but Bexar County officials waived the reimbursement payments in 2022.

Now, with the city facing a $131 million budget gap, Jones is seeking to collect the owed payment, which she estimates to be around $2.1 million, including interest. The mayor believes that collecting this payment is essential to minimizing cuts to the city’s budget and avoiding a potential property tax increase.

Request to Michael Dell

Jones also reached out to Michael Dell, asking him to consider covering part or all of the city’s $489 million share of a new downtown arena. The proposed arena is part of a $1.3 billion project, with the Spurs organization contributing $500 million and Bexar County covering $311 million through a venue tax on hotel stays and car rentals.

The mayor’s request to Dell comes as the city explores ways to finance its share of the arena without placing an undue burden on taxpayers. Jones has expressed skepticism about the funding deal, which she voted against, and is seeking alternative solutions to minimize the city’s financial commitment.

Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.