press-release

sasagarcia

Spurs Finalize Agreement and Begin Work to Update Naming Assets

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 22, 2023)&nbsp;– The San Antonio Spurs today announced their naming rights agreement with Frost Bank (Frost) has been finalized and the arena is now officially the “Frost Bank Center." Initially announced in August, the Spurs secured Frost as their new arena naming rights partner as an expansion of the 50-year of partnership between the two brands that began in 1973 when Tom C. Frost provided the financing necessary to move the franchise to San Antonio.

The Spurs will begin work this month to update arena signage within and outside the Frost Bank Center, including marquee signage, ticket towers, center court jumbotron and other marketing materials. The majority of these in-arena and outside signage changes will be made before the start of the season. The Frost Bank Center logo will be seen on the team’s core and City Edition courts, with the first reveal of the court taking place at the Silver & Black Open Scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 7. The name change is also reflected in digital assets, such as the arena’s social handles and web presence. The arena can be found at&nbsp;@frostbankcenter&nbsp;on Instagram, at&nbsp;@frostbankcenter&nbsp;on X, as&nbsp;Frost Bank Center&nbsp;on Facebook and the website can be found at&nbsp;FrostBankCenter.com.

The AT&T Center Parkway is in the process of being renamed, with all street and highway signage anticipated to be updated in the coming months. Until this change, the arena can still be located on a map at 1 AT&T Center Parkway.

san-antonio-spurs-arena-is-now-officially-the-frost-bank-center

San Antonio Spurs Arena Is Now Officially The 'Frost Bank Center'

Mejia Will Align SS&E’s Impact Commitments Across All Franchises

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 22, 2023) –&nbsp;Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) today announced that Patricia Mejia has joined the organization as Vice President of Inclusive Engagement to help advance the organization’s internal and external Impact commitments. In this new role, she will oversee the alignment of SS&E’s Impact strategy across all franchises and key markets. Mejia will play a key role in supporting our community investments, community sports, leadership development, sustainability and belonging work. She will report to Dr. Kara Allen, Chief People, Impact and Belonging Officer for SS&E.

“We are so grateful to have Patricia join our SS&E team,” said Dr. Allen. “Our organizational commitment to building leaders and legacies is deeply aligned to Patricia's personal commitment and her extensive professional experience. Through collaborative efforts on community-centered investments like Corporate Partners for Racial Equity and the Sport for Healing Fund, we've witnessed a glimpse at the capacity, strategy and human-centered approach that Patricia brings to this work. She is a natural and values-aligned fit and will be a true champion in working alongside the entire team.”

Before joining SS&E, Mejia served as vice president of community engagement and impact for the San Antonio Area Foundation. She drove transformational change by targeting investments to develop more equitable communities, now a national best practice model centering equity. Mejia facilitated national partnerships that allowed San Antonio to serve as a case study on how to move communities out of poverty through significant education and health investments. She also directed numerous research initiatives and assisted in the formation of the Equity Fellowship, a leadership development opportunity for nonprofit leaders of color. Prior to the Area Foundation, Mejia served as director of community engagement at Methodist Healthcare Ministries and served as deputy director at the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders.

“I am honored to join SS&E and to take part in the work they’ve championed for our community,” said Mejia. “My work has been dedicated to building inclusive communities, a task which requires looking at the reality of the existing conditions, while simultaneously dreaming of what we can achieve together. This new role with SS&E offers the opportunity to continue and deepen the work through new areas of philanthropic investment and community partnership. As a South Texas native, I am excited about the possibilities ahead and to be part of a team dedicated to this work – to create opportunities for all communities to win championships on all courts of life.”

Mejia is a Corpus Christi native. She earned bachelor's and master’s degrees in political science and public administration from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. She is a former National Hispana Leadership Institute fellow, where she completed the Executive Leadership Program through the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

spurs-sports-entertainment-announces-patricia-mejia-as-new-vice-president-of-inclusive-engagement

Spurs Sports & Entertainment Announces Patricia Mejia As New Vice President of Inclusive Engagement

sasrgarza

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 13, 2023) – The San Antonio Spurs today announced a multi-year partnership with UT Health San Antonio in a joint effort to pursue innovations in human performance and improve the health of the greater San Antonio community. With this agreement, the Spurs have named UT Health San Antonio as their official sports medicine partner with Guy Nicolette, MD as the new lead sports medicine physician. This thoughtfully designed partnership is built on the principles of research, medical and public health education, and will feature community health programming across the city.&nbsp;

“We’re excited to advance this unique opportunity to partner and collaborate with a world-class organization like the San Antonio Spurs,” said William L. Henrich, MD, MACP, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, also called UT Health San Antonio. “This is a powerful partnership because of our shared mission and strong commitment to serve and positively impact our community. Our respective institutions are committed to unparalleled quality, expertise and excellent outcomes.”&nbsp;

“Through the power of premiere brands and expansive community engagement, UT Health San Antonio and Spurs Sports & Entertainment are committed to work together empowering local and regional communities to make sustainable health progress, reduce the scale of health struggles impacting our population, and improve health inequities that have far reaching effects of the lives of the people in San Antonio, South Texas and beyond. Our partnership demonstrates a shared commitment and will be a powerful tool for making a difference in the community’s health by providing opportunities and services that promote healthy development, healthier lifestyles and overall well-being for all phases of life,” continued Henrich.&nbsp;

Nicolette is an associate clinical professor at UT Health San Antonio and brings over 30-years’ experience to the team. He previously served as assistant vice chancellor of University Health Services at University of California-Berkeley. Nicolette will work as the team’s lead sports medicine physician in the new, dedicated UT Health San Antonio sports medicine treatment room at the Victory Capital Performance Center set to open in September.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“UT Health San Antonio is pleased to be the official sports medicine partner of the San Antonio Spurs,” Nicolette said. “We’ve put together a winning team of specialists who are trained and ready to respond to the medical needs of each San Antonio Spurs player with high-quality care to help them succeed on and off the court.”&nbsp;

For the past three decades, David Schmidt, MD and Paul Saenz, DO have provided outstanding service to over 250 Spurs players. They will continue to assist the Silver and Black and collaborate with Nicolette, MD to transition to a new chapter in the organization’s history of excellence in player care.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“SS&E and UT Health San Antonio are both deeply committed to improving the community and to the pursuit of knowledge to inform better health programming. This collaboration is the embodiment of those shared values,” said RC Buford, CEO of Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “UT Health San Antonio is a proven leader and innovator. Through this multifaceted partnership, we share the privilege of empowering local and regional communities to make sustainable health progress, reduce health inequities and unlock the science behind human performance.”&nbsp;

The alliance between these two well-respected brands also symbolizes a shared desire to focus on the complex issue of health and injury prevention in our community. The partnership amplifies community efforts led by the Spurs and the public health programming offered by UT Health San Antonio.&nbsp;

One of the first community initiatives resulting from this unique sports medicine partnership is a collaborative health education and preventative care program called “Know Your Numbers,” which will be launched in the coming months. Given that sports-related injuries make up nearly one-third of all childhood injuries, this program aims to promote health awareness among participants and encourages them to engage in healthy behaviors and lifestyle. This public education is tailored to the diverse needs of the region’s population, particularly those who are disproportionately impacted by certain health conditions and the injuries that cause time away from an active, healthy lifestyle and activities like organized sports.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is one of the country’s leading health science universities and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have graduated more than 41,100 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit UTHSCSA.edu.&nbsp;&nbsp;

san-antonio-spurs-announce-multi-year-partnership-with-ut-health-san-antonio-and-new-team-physician

San Antonio Spurs Announce Multi-Year Partnership with UT Health San Antonio and New Team Physician

saspshirley

SAN ANTONIO (Sep. 11, 2023) –&nbsp;The San Antonio Spurs today announced that the team has waived guard Cameron Payne.

Payne was acquired on July 17, along with a 2025 second round pick (via New Orleans) and cash considerations, from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for a protected second round pick in 2024.

san-antonio-waves-cameron-payne

San Antonio Waives Cameron Payne

Theme Game Nights Will Spotlight Special Causes and Holidays Throughout the Season

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2023)&nbsp;– The San Antonio Spurs today announced their promotional schedule and theme nights for the 2023-24 regular season, presented by H-E-B. The schedule features a wide range of dedicated game nights to spotlight and celebrate various causes, as well as other special events for fans as they cheer on the Silver and Black.

The 2023-24 season kicks off with Opening Night on Wednesday, Oct. 25, presented by Ticketmaster, which will feature a T-shirt giveaway designed by popular San Antonio artist Ray Scarborough for all fans in attendance at the arena. The schedule features 10 City Nights, presented by Michelob ULTRA, during which the Spurs will don their newest City Edition uniforms. Of the 10 City Nights, two will take part during the NBA In-Season Tournament as the Spurs host Minnesota on Friday, Nov. 10 and Sacramento on Friday, Nov. 17.

Throughout the season, the Spurs will honor our local military heroes by recognizing Veterans Night on Sunday, Nov. 12, Salute Night on Saturday, Jan. 27, and Military Appreciation Night on Sunday, March 3, all presented by USAA. Box Out Cancer Night will return to the AT&T Center on Friday, Jan. 26, where the Spurs will continue to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.

The schedule includes several promotional nights as part of the team’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and belonging, including Hispanic Heritage Night on Thursday, Nov. 30, Pride Night on Friday, Jan. 12, Martin Luther King Jr. Night on Saturday, Jan. 13, Black Heritage Night on Friday, Feb. 2 and Women’s Night on Friday, March 22.

The Spurs will close out the regular season with Fan Appreciation Night on Sunday, April 14, presented by Takis. Fans looking to add value to their ticket can take advantage of the “Ticket + 2 Beers” package, which is available for all Sunday through Thursday games at the AT&T Center for an additional $7 fee.&nbsp;For more information and to view the full promotional schedule, fans can head to&nbsp;Spurs.com/Promotions&nbsp;or text PROMOTIONS to 210-444-5050.

The annual I-35 Series, presented by Alienware and Netspend, will be held in Austin as the Spurs host the defending NBA Champions Denver Nuggets on March 15 and the Brooklyn Nets Sunday, March 17 at Moody Center.

Single-game tickets for the I-35 Series will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m., with exclusive presale access given to Season Ticket Members on Tuesday, Sept 12 at 10 a.m. and to Official Spurs Fan Club members on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. For exclusive presale access and more info on the I-35 Series Premium Package, fans can text SPURSGAMES to 210-444-5050.

Promotional and Theme Nights Schedule&nbsp;

Individual suite rentals are now available for purchase at Spurssuites.com. Group tickets are available now at Spurs.com/groups or by calling or texting (210) 444-5959. Groups of 10 or more can receive up to 25% off select games and access to special fan experiences.&nbsp;

Inventory for 2023-24 season tickets remains available for fans looking to lock in their membership ahead of the home opener. Package options include a half season 20-game plan, featuring opening night with every Western Conference team contest and guaranteed same seat playoff priority. The 10-game Texas Showdown package guarantees both a Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets game and playoff priority. A 42-game full season package is also available with added benefits. To learn more about membership options, visit Spurs.com/memberships or call or text (210) 444-5050. &nbsp;

san-antonio-spurs-announce-promotional-schedule-for-2023-2024-season

San Antonio Spurs Announce Promotional Schedule for 2023-2024 Season

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 8, 2023) –&nbsp;Spurs Sports & Entertainment today announced that Brandon Gayle has decided to step down as Chief Operating Officer. During his time with the organization, Gayle has played a critical role in expanding the global reach of the San Antonio Spurs brand while accelerating revenue growth across SS&E.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Brandon Gayle has had a major impact across the organization,” said Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford. “His leadership skills, deep sense of empathy and ability to bring people together are all special and unique. I’m grateful for the time and energy he’s given to SS&E and thankful to know that he’ll be a friend for life.”

As COO, Gayle leads the organization’s operations across ticketing, premium seating, global partnerships, brand marketing and creative, content and distribution, merchandising and communications. He has been a driving force behind efforts to deepen SS&E’s fan connections from Mexico to Austin and all points in between. In addition, Gayle led negotiations for the San Antonio Spurs jersey patch partnership with&nbsp;Self Financial&nbsp;and the recently announced arena naming rights agreement with&nbsp;Frost Bank.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am incredibly grateful to Peter J. Holt and RC Buford for their trust and support over the last four years and could not be prouder of what we have accomplished as an organization during that time,” said Gayle. “In the coming months, I look forward to ensuring that our teams are set up for continued success before taking a sabbatical to recharge personally and spend more time with my family.”&nbsp;

Gayle’s last day in a full-time role will be November 30, and he has agreed to serve as a strategic advisor to the organization until January 31.&nbsp;&nbsp;

As part of the transition, SS&E Chief Revenue Officer Frank Miceli, has been named Chief Commercial Officer reporting to Buford. In this role, Miceli will lead the teams responsible for revenue generation and brand engagement for the San Antonio Spurs, Austin Spurs and San Antonio FC.&nbsp;

brandon-gayle-to-step-down-as-spurs-sports-entertainment-coo

Brandon Gayle to Step Down as Spurs Sports & Entertainment COO

This Year’s Theme Will Focus on Creating Access and Belonging for Women in Leadership

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 6, 2023) –&nbsp;Women nonprofit leaders in San Antonio, Austin and across South Texas are invited to participate in the&nbsp;Spurs Community Leadership Institute&nbsp;(SCLI). Online&nbsp;applications are open now&nbsp;and close Friday, Sept. 29. In collaboration with Self Financial (Self) and Frost Bank (Frost), the program will select 30 for-impact leaders to join an immersive learning community rooted in healing, access and belonging for women. This program will bring awareness to critical women’s issues, provide growth and development opportunities and create space for collective impact. To learn more about SCLI, applicants can register for a&nbsp;Zoom information session&nbsp;on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 4 p.m.&nbsp;

“Making up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, women are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, accounting for only 8% of Fortune 500 company CEOs,” said Dr. Kara Allen, Chief Impact Officer for SS&E. “It is our responsibility to elevate belonging for women leaders while advancing community transformation. Our expectation is to inspire and invest in a diverse cohort of values-based women leaders who are prepared for the challenges and opportunities within the community.”

During this seven-month program, there will be two distinct cohorts offered. Fellows based in San Antonio will experience the program in person and those in Austin and South Texas will participate in a hybrid format. Together, they will take part in a curated curriculum, expert panels and group collaboration to examine solutions and opportunities for lasting and impactful change.

"Creating opportunities for equity and access is core to our work at Self," said Monique White, Head of Community at Self. "We're proud to continue our partnership with the Spurs Community Leadership Institute to uplift women driving progress within their communities."

At the end of the program, Self, the official Spurs jersey patch partner, will award one fellow in each cohort a $10,000 “Building Dreams” grant for their respective organization. The two award recipients will be decided by their SCLI peers based on their ability to be resourceful and collaborative throughout the program.

“As a longtime supporter of the Spurs, Frost is happy to sponsor the Community Leadership Institute and its work in creating leadership opportunities for women,” said Dan Geddes, Region President for Frost in the San Antonio area. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Spurs on programs like this that help make people’s lives better.”

women-nonprofit-leaders-invited-to-participate-in-spurs-community-leadership-institute

Women Nonprofit Leaders Invited to Participate in Spurs Community Leadership Institute

SAN ANTONIO (Sept. 1, 2023)&nbsp;– Fans are invited to the free 2023-24 Silver & Black Open Scrimmage, presented by Ticketmaster, at the AT&T Center on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. The San Antonio Spurs will take the court for four 10-minute quarters, giving fans the chance to preview the team in action ahead of their Wednesday, Oct. 25 home opener against the Dallas Mavericks. Tickets are free and are required for entry – see details below.

Fans in attendance can get specially priced $2 draft beers and $1 soft drinks and a 25% discount at the Spurs Fan Shop inside the AT&T Center, located on the south end of the arena. Parking for the event will be free in Lots 1-7 and doors will open at 4 p.m.&nbsp;

“We hope that the open scrimmage serves as a community celebration for fans to see their Spurs in action ahead of what will be an incredible season,” said Becky Kimbro, Senior Vice President of Brand Engagement at Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “Our fans are exceptionally supportive, year after year, and they deserve a fun and free celebration to kick off this highly anticipated season. We’re looking forward to hearing their cheers and seeing their spirit on display as we welcome our team back into the arena for the 2023-24 season.”

Fans at home can tune in to the Spurs Digital Fan Fest to catch the scrimmage action. Digital Fan Fest will be an exclusive live stream event in the&nbsp;Official San Antonio Spurs Fan Group&nbsp;on Facebook. The event includes an exclusive stream of the pre-scrimmage practice, merchandise and ticket giveaways, and live trivia.&nbsp;Streaming and event information can be found at&nbsp;Spurs.com/OpenScrimmage.

The Silver & Black Open Scrimmage will be ticketed due to anticipated high demand. To be eligible to receive free tickets, fans must complete the following steps:&nbsp;

Current season ticket members do not need to enter to win tickets to the open scrimmage. Members are guaranteed up to four tickets per account and will receive more information on how to claim their tickets directly from their ticket representative. Season ticket members will also have access to a members-only tailgate at the ULTRA Club ahead of tip-off. All tickets are General Admission seating and cannot be transferred or resold.

The open scrimmage will feature two efforts led by Spurs Give, including a donation drive to collect sports gear and hygiene items for girls participating in youth sports. Fans can bring their donated goods to the drop-off locations at all entrances prior to security checkpoints before entering the arena. With a goal of collecting enough items to pack 1,000 gift bags, Spurs Give will be accepting new unopened products, including hair accessories, athletic socks, new shoes of all sizes, feminine products, deodorant, additional sports clothing and hygiene products.&nbsp;

Spurs Give will also be holding a Yard Sale fundraiser for fans to purchase Spurs branded merchandise and collectible items at low cost. The Yard Sale will be open in the ULTRA Club for all fans to shop starting at tip off. All funds raised through the Yard Sale will go directly to Spurs Give’s efforts of creating safe spaces to play and learn, increasing access to inclusive teams and providing a culture of belonging. Fans can also donate online by visiting&nbsp;MyGiving.net/Donate/SpursGive.

Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is a value-based and community-centric sports and entertainment company that provides premier live and global digital experiences for fans across a portfolio of three teams and two venues – all supported by a passionate staff of more than 1,000 full and part-time employees. SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G League), and San Antonio FC (USL), as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the AT&T Center, Toyota Field and STAR Complex. In November 2021, SS&E broke ground on The Rock at La Cantera, a multiphase $500 million legacy project that will extend across 45 acres and feature a human performance research center, 22-acre park, a community outdoor event plaza and space for medical, hospitality and office use. The campus will be home to the new Victory Capital Performance Center, a state-of-the-art training facility for the San Antonio Spurs, which is scheduled to open late summer of 2023. The SS&E investor group is led by Managing Partner Peter J. Holt.

press‑release