• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Source: AT&T Out as Spurs’ Arena Sponsor, Minority Owner

  • AT&T had paid about $2 million per year for the naming rights to the Spurs’ home arena.
  • The telecom giant also sold a minority stake in the team in recent weeks.
Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs are in the hunt for a new naming-rights sponsor for their home arena as AT&T has indicated it won’t renew its current deal, a source told Front Office Sports. 

It’s expected the arena will remain known as AT&T Center until the contract expires in fall of 2022, although the telecom giant exited the team in another manner in recent weeks. Front Office Sports learned that AT&T sold off its minority interest in the Spurs, which stood at about 7% of the team. AT&T later confirmed the sale to FOS.

With the Spurs valued at $1.85 billion, it’s estimated that AT&T made about $125 million from its original investment in the Spurs more than two decades ago. The chunk of the team held by AT&T was part of the 30% stake in the franchise that investment firm Sixth Street and tech billionaire Michael Dell purchased last month

“This sale is a result of the ongoing strategic review of our balance sheet and assets to identify opportunities for monetization,” said Fletcher Cook, VP of corporate communications for AT&T, in an email to FOS. “We want to ensure that our assets support our overall strategy and areas of market focus. Where this is not the case, we transition them to owners who will provide incremental stewardship and investment.”

The reasons for not renewing are twofold, a source told FOS. 

AT&T merged with SBC — the arena had been known as the SBC Center — and company headquarters moved from San Antonio to Dallas after the merger was completed in 2005. The company currently pays close to $20 million annually for the naming rights of the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium. 

Another factor is AT&T reassessing its debt load and looking for cost-cutting measures, a factor in a deal to merge its WarnerMedia unit with Discovery announced in May. 

“This sale is separate from AT&T’s team sponsorship and naming rights agreement,” Cook said. “We continually review our sponsorship strategy, so I can’t comment on our future plans.”

Messages left with the Spur were not returned Friday. 

Here are some recent naming rights deals: 

  • In March, the Miami Heat landed a 19-year deal with crypto company FTX that pays about $7 million per year. 
  • After New Era bowed out, Highmark Health became the stadium sponsor for the Buffalo Bills. The deal announced in March is worth $6 million annually. 
  • Caesars Entertainment agreed to a 20-year deal for the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. The Saints will fetch about $10 million per year. 

At about $2 million per year, AT&T’s naming-rights agreement with the Spurs was one of the cheapest in pro sports — even for a franchise in one of the smaller markets in major U.S. sports.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cobh Ramblers
exclusive

Ireland’s Ramblers Latest Soccer Club to Gain U.S. Owner

The Ramblers play in the League of Ireland First Division.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Gareth Bale
exclusive

Gareth Bale Group Makes New Offer for Cardiff City 

Bale tells Front Office Sports his group has made another bid.
exclusive

Amazon Adding Dell Curry to NBA Coverage Team

The 16-year NBA veteran has been a Hornets color commentator.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
July 9, 2025

Browns $600M Stadium Deal Hit With Suit Over ‘Unclaimed’ Money

Ohio’s use of unclaimed funds for a new stadium is challenged legally.
April 19, 2022; Austin, TX, USA; Tim Leiweke of the Oak View Group speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Moody Center, a multi-purpose arena that will be home to concerts and the UT basketball teams on Tuesday April 19, 2022.
July 9, 2025

Oak View Founder Tim Leiweke Indicted for Alleged Rigged Arena Bid

The longtime sports executive leaves his day-to-day leadership role.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 8, 2025

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 7, 2025

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.
July 2, 2025

Commanders’ $3.8B Stadium Deal in Jeopardy? Mayor Sounds the Alarm

Political tensions rise about delays in stadium funding approval.
July 1, 2025

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.