Repeating a stance he took previously with the Oilers and
Rangers, TX Gov. George W. Bush said Monday he will not allow "a
dime of taxpayer money" to be used for a new Spurs arena. Bush:
"I would hope the Spurs' owners recognize the wonderful market
that San Antonio affords and city officials are able to work out
something that will stabilize the franchise, if it is in fact
unstable." The Spurs, facing losses for the first time this
season, are actively searching for a new venue to be more
profitable than the Alamodome (Laura Tolley, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-
NEWS, 2/13).
ATTENDANCE DOWN: This morning's EXPRESS-NEWS studies the 9%
drop-off in home attendance this season, noting "the absence of
Dennis Rodman, the Alamodome's sterile atmosphere and a hangover
from last season's playoff loss to Houston have all contributed."
Spurs President & CEO Jack Diller: "We did not sell as many
season tickets coming off a season in which we had the best
record in the league. We thought we would do better. Our group
business has done well. But single-game and day-of-game sales
have been real poor" (Tom Osborn, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS,
2/13).
