The Spurs and team Chair Peter Holt have "sent out more
than" 7,000 letters outlining the need for a new arena and
"asking for support of the proposed Longhorn Quarry
development," according to Arthur Garcia of the SAN ANTONIO
EXPRESS-NEWS. The letters, signed by Holt, were sent to the
7,000-plus season-ticket holders and "anyone else, such as
vendors," in the Spurs' account database. The mailout also
consists of a response card where recipients can check if
they are supporters of the new arena site. Spurs VP/
Community & Government Relations Leo Gomez said that the
team doesn't have plans to "sell the arena proposal with a
commercial effort," such as TV ads or billboards (S.A.
EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/14). The tax-increment financing plan
designed to be the lead financing mechanism behind the new
facility was examined by Travis Poling under the sub-head:
"Financing Tool Has Scored, Missed Across The State" (S.A.
EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/15). Also in San Antonio, Poling & Anderson
wrote that while losing the Spurs would "hurt" the city-
owned Alamodome, it "would remain viable if it continues to
attract more premier events" (S.A. EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/15).
FAIR COVERAGE: In San Antonio, EXPRESS-NEWS Editor
Robert Rivard asked, "Can the Express-News give readers
balanced coverage of a major community issue at the same
time the newspaper publishes an editorial on the same
topic?" He wrote that the while the paper is a supporter of
the team, "Before you declare us hopelessly tilted in favor
of the new arena, why not keep track of our coverage with
one simple measure: Does the Express-News report all sides
of the story?" He added the paper "will make sure credible
opponents of any new arena receive balanced coverage in our
news pages" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/15).