The Spurs "called off a campaign Tuesday to get public
funding for a new arena after polling by the organization
found strong opposition," according to Travis Poling of the
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. The move cancels an arena vote
that the Spurs "had hoped would take place in January,
putting it close to the middle of the basketball season."
Spurs Chair Peter Holt said "he will abandon the arena
campaign to focus on the Spurs 25th anniversary season."
The poll, conducted by DC-based Bennett, Pets & Blumenthal,
found that 61% of local residents surveyed "were opposed to
a new coliseum or arena for the Spurs paid for with taxpayer
dollars." The popularity rating for the Spurs was 66%
favorable, the team's "community involvement" rating was 75%
approval, and 70% said "it was important to keep the team
from moving to another city." The EXPRESS-NEWS' Poling
reports that Holt "emphasized that the team was not for sale
and would remain in San Antonio for the foreseeable future."
San Antonio Mayor Bill Thornton said the city "would
consider renegotiating" the Spurs' Alamodome deal to help
keep the team in the city (S.A. EXPRESS-NEWS, 7/30).
