Helena Frye
The San Antonio Spurs are the city's only top-level professional sports team, so it's no surprise that they are the team most San Antonians follow. The Spurs have been playing in San Antonio since 1973 and have won five NBA Championships (in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014). The team has a strong community presence, with Spurs players actively engaging with the city of San Antonio, and the Spurs Youth Basketball League impacting the lives of over 463,000 young athletes and coaches. The Spurs have also set multiple NBA attendance records, including the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball team in San Antonio | San Antonio Spurs |
| League | National Basketball Association (NBA) |
| Division | Southwest Division of the Western Conference |
| Former name | Dallas Chaparrals (1967-1970, 1971-1973), Texas Chaparrals (1970-1971) |
| Number of NBA Championships won | 5 (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) |
| Number of ABA Championships won | 0 |
| Attendance record | Set several NBA attendance records while playing at the Alamodome, including the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999 |
| Stadium | Frost Bank Center (formerly SBC Center and AT&T Center) |
| Youth Basketball League | Spurs Youth Basketball League (SYBL) |
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What You'll Learn
San Antonio Spurs' popularity
The San Antonio Spurs is an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The team was formerly known as the Dallas Chaparrals, one of 11 teams in the original American Basketball Association (ABA), before relocating to San Antonio in 1973-74. The Spurs currently compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference.
The Spurs have a strong following in San Antonio and have become an integral part of the local community. The team's popularity was evident from the very beginning, with the Spurs drawing 6,303 fans per game in their inaugural season, surpassing the Chaparrals' entire total attendance in just 18 games. The Spurs set several NBA attendance records while playing at the Alamodome, including the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999. The Spurs continue to sell out their home games at the Frost Bank Center (formerly SBC Center and AT&T Center) on a regular basis. During the 2021/22 NBA season, the average regular-season home attendance for a Spurs game was 15,014, with a total attendance of 615,588 for the season.
The Spurs have a combined total of over 10 million fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter. The team's success on the court has also contributed to its popularity. The Spurs have won five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014) and held the highest winning percentage among active NBA franchises as of the 2022-23 season. The Spurs are one of only two former ABA teams to have won an NBA championship and the only former ABA team to have won multiple championships.
The Spurs have had several notable players throughout their history, including ABA veteran James Silas, Swen Nater (Rookie of the Year in 1974), George Gervin, and David Robinson. The team's success and community engagement have made the San Antonio Spurs one of the most popular and well-supported basketball teams in the NBA.
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Spurs' community engagement
The San Antonio Spurs is an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and play their home games at the Frost Bank Center.
The Spurs organisation recognises that its people are its greatest asset and strives to foster an inclusive culture for its 1000-strong employee workforce. The Spurs team is committed to harnessing the power of sports and entertainment to create exciting moments, enduring memories, and stronger connections within the community.
To this end, the Spurs have a dedicated Community Engagement and Impact Manager who is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and belonging across the organisation and within the community. This role involves leading strategic development and implementing metrics and reporting frameworks to evaluate impact initiatives across all franchises. The Community Engagement Manager also oversees the execution of philanthropic strategies and community investment initiatives, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and measurable outcomes.
Additionally, the Spurs have Community Engagement Ambassadors who represent Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) at local and regional events, festivals, college campuses, and other community happenings. These ambassadors engage with the community, distribute Spurs-branded merchandise, answer questions about SS&E products, and collect data for lead generation.
The Spurs organisation values integrity, success, and caring in their day-to-day operations and strives to create positive and lasting impacts in the San Antonio community.
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Spurs Youth Basketball League
The Spurs Youth Basketball League (SYBL) is a cornerstone of youth development in South and Central Texas. Originally founded in 1990 as the Drug-Free League by Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich and Kids Sports Network President Frank Martin, the SYBL has positively impacted almost half a million young athletes and coaches. The league is built on a foundation of teamwork, respect, and self-discipline, and teaches not only basketball skills but also life lessons that prepare the next generation for success.
The SYBL is open to boys and girls, ages 5 to 17, with nearly 10,000 children participating each year from primarily lower-income neighbourhoods across 25+ sites. The league offers a safe and supportive environment where youth can improve their athletic skills while learning cooperation, respect, and discipline. It provides a positive impact on the community, with innovative programming and anti-drug efforts.
Each participant recites the SYBL Pledge before each game, demonstrating their commitment to the league's mission. The league is presented by Pizza Hut, which donates a portion of the proceeds from large stuffed crust one-topping pizzas to the youth league. Usman Dhanani, President of Ayvaz Pizza, dba Pizza Hut, has expressed pride in their long-standing partnership with the Spurs and their ability to support the children in the San Antonio community.
The Spurs Youth Basketball League is an essential part of the San Antonio Spurs' engagement with the local community. The Spurs have a strong following in San Antonio, with high attendance figures and a dedicated fan base. The team has set multiple NBA attendance records, including the largest crowd for an NBA Finals game in 1999, and continues to sell out the Frost Bank Center regularly.
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Spurs' attendance figures
The San Antonio Spurs is an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The Spurs play their home games at the Frost Bank Center.
The Spurs started out as the Dallas Chaparrals of the original American Basketball Association (ABA). The team suffered from poor attendance and general disinterest in Dallas. However, after relocating to San Antonio, the Spurs enjoyed much stronger attendance figures, which made them very attractive to the NBA.
The Spurs have set several NBA attendance records while playing at the Alamodome, including the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999. The Spurs continue to sell out the smaller Frost Bank Center (formerly SBC Center and AT&T Center) on a regular basis.
During the 2023/24 regular NBA season, the Spurs had an average crowd of over 18,000 fans per game. The total home attendance for the 2024-25 season was 712,000, ranking 18th out of 30 teams for attendance. This was the lowest attendance since 2012, excluding the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the following season, which saw 615,588 and 694,434 fans, respectively.
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Spurs' performance in the NBA
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The Spurs are one of four former American Basketball Association (ABA) teams to remain intact in the NBA after the 1976 ABA–NBA merger, and they are the only former ABA team to have won multiple NBA championships.
The Spurs have had a rich history in the NBA, with several notable achievements. They have won NBA championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. As of the 2022–23 season, they boasted the highest winning percentage among active NBA franchises. This success has extended back over several decades; as of May 2017, the Spurs had the best winning percentage of any franchise in the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada over the previous three decades.
The Spurs' success in the NBA began with their inaugural season in the newly built Alamodome in 1993–94. Led by coach Lucas, the team achieved a 55–27 record but suffered a first-round loss in the playoffs, resulting in Lucas's dismissal. The following season, under new coach Bob Hill, the Spurs improved to a 62–20 record, marking the first time the franchise had cracked the 60-win mark.
The Spurs consistently performed well in the NBA, making the playoffs for 16 consecutive seasons and extending the NBA record with 50+ games for 14 straight seasons. In the 2012–13 season, they finished second in the Western Conference with a 58–24 record, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. They advanced to the NBA Finals, facing the Miami Heat, but ultimately fell short.
The 2013–14 season saw the Spurs return to the NBA Finals, marking the first time since the 1998 NBA Finals that the same two teams faced off in consecutive years. This time, the Spurs emerged victorious, winning the 2014 NBA championship in five games (4–1). The Spurs blew out the Miami Heat in all their wins, each by a margin of 15 or more points. Kawhi Leonard had a breakout performance and was named the NBA Finals MVP.
Despite an up-and-down 2014–15 season, the Spurs still managed to qualify for the playoffs with a 55–27 regular-season record. However, they were eliminated in the first round by the Los Angeles Clippers, becoming the first defending champions since the 2011–12 Dallas Mavericks to suffer this fate.
The Spurs bounced back in the 2015–16 season, finishing with a franchise-best 67–15 record and earning the Southwest Division title. They also boasted the league's best defence and set an NBA record for most home wins in a season with 40.
In addition to their on-court success, the Spurs have also set several NBA attendance records. While playing at the Alamodome, they set the record for the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999. They continue to sell out their current home arena, the Frost Bank Center, on a regular basis.
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Frequently asked questions
San Antonio is home to one major league professional sports team: the National Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs. While there are no exact figures on how many people support the team, the Spurs have consistently sold out the Frost Bank Center, which has a capacity of 18,418. The team has also set several NBA attendance records while playing at the Alamodome, including the largest crowd ever for an NBA Finals game in 1999.
The San Antonio Spurs started out as the Dallas Chaparrals (or the Texas Chaparrals) of the original American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967. They moved to San Antonio in 1973 and became one of four former ABA teams to remain intact in the NBA after the 1976 ABA-NBA merger.
The Spurs have won five NBA championships (in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014) and are the only former ABA team to have won multiple championships. As of the 2022-23 season, they had the highest winning percentage among active NBA franchises.
The Spurs Youth Basketball League (SYBL) is a cornerstone of youth development in South and Central Texas, offering a safe and supportive environment for young athletes to improve their athletic skills and learn life lessons. Founded in 1990 by Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich, SYBL has positively impacted the lives of over 463,000 young athletes and coaches.
People can support the Spurs by purchasing limited-edition merchandise, joining the 50/50 raffle, and participating in community events. Businesses can also show their support through partnerships and sponsorships, such as Pizza Hut's long-standing partnership with the Spurs Youth Basketball League.
