If there’s any region that has gained attention from every corner, it is the San Antonio-Austin region. With traffic congestion and a rapid increase in population, you get to see it all. All this demands more and better infrastructure. Including sports like basketball. And amid all of this, San Antonio faces a pivotal moment in its relationship with its beloved NBA franchise. The city is considering a massive $1.3 billion project to build a new downtown arena for the San Antonio Spurs, a plan known as Project Marvel. But…

The future of this urban corridor is now a central topic of discussion, with leaders considering how the area will evolve. Former Mayor Henry Cisneros recently spoke at the San Antonio Rotary Club and highlighted the immense opportunities, but also pointed to critical challenges that require preparation. “The question is not whether we are to grow, it’s what are we going to do to prepare?” Cisneros stated, framing the upcoming decisions as crucial for the city’s trajectory.

Now, the account Spurs Reporter took to X and uploaded a post that revealed a stark warning from the former mayor while confirming the region’s growth. Cisneros directly addressed the stakes of the upcoming arena vote, linking the San Antonio Spurs’ future to the city’s identity. “Cities like Seattle and Vegas are panting to take the Spurs. This vote is critical to our evolution,” he was quoted as saying in the tweet, which summarized his recent comments.

The fear isn’t random because it reminds me of a recent sports tragedy. The Golden State Warriors’ departure was a hard hit for Oaklanders despite the team shifting to a nearby region, San Francisco. If that wasn’t enough, in 2020, the NFL’s Raiders left for Las Vegas. It hit even more than the Warriors’ exit because this time the distance was far greater. If these weren’t enough, Oakland had to take another blow as Major League Baseball’s Athletics moved to Sin City.

So, Oakland’s experience is a cautionary tale. The city lost three in a single decade because of stadium disputes. Even San Antonio could become Oakland if the vote fails. The specific vote on the November 4 ballot asks for $311 million in county venue tax funding to complete the arena’s financial structure. The city has already committed $489 million, and the Spurs ownership group has pledged $500 million plus any cost overruns.

With Victor Wembanyama quickly becoming the face of the franchise and the centerpiece of its future, the timing of this proposal feels even more significant. Can they survive or become the next Oakland? It is time to see.

The Austin connection and Spurs relocation risk

A significant part of the relocation risk stems from the Spurs’ own ownership structure. Cisneros pointed out that several of the team’s key investors are “tech bros out of Austin,” including billionaire Michael Dell. This creates a natural business connection to the northern city, making a potential move less complicated from an ownership perspective.

The financial and strategic interests of these investors are not bound solely to San Antonio. The team has already laid the groundwork for a larger presence in Austin.

The Spurs have incorporated regular-season games at the Moody Center into their annual schedule, branding it the I-35 Series. These games have consistently sold out, proving that the market is both willing and able to support NBA-level basketball. This only strengthens the argument for a permanent move should the San Antonio deal fall through.

This combination of factors creates a perfect storm of risk. With eager ownership ties to Austin and other cities like Seattle and Las Vegas openly desiring an NBA team, the path for relocation is clear if the San Antonio vote fails. The warning is not an empty threat but a realistic assessment of modern sports economics. Where franchises increasingly follow the money and modern facilities.