We knew that Spurs intended to relocate some of their games next season to properly celebrate their 50th anniversary this season and what better way to do that than to organize a meeting in the old arena of the franchise aka the ‘Alamodome? In addition to celebrating a milestone very symbolic, San Antonio intends to seek a record to mark the occasion: that of the largest crowd ever achieved for an NBA match. When you are told that competition is a way of life there.
50 years. 50 years that the Spurs play in the NBA. A very busy history, especially since the beginning of the century. Five titles spread over fifteen years, which will never have seen the Spurs falter in a single season. Tim Duncan and David Robinson, then Tim Duncan accompanied by Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker… the story is very full, and above all written with golden letters. An ink that began to be used on the side of the Alamodome, which the Spurs used from 1993 to 2002. The room, planned by the city to host American football and then a possible football team in the European sense of the term.
During this period, it is the Spurs who will use it, at reduced capacity of course because the enclosure is designed to be able to accommodate more than 65,000 people. Now imagine that this number, 65,000, is precisely the one that the Spurs have planned to type on January 13, on the occasion of their birthday party. If the goal is met, it would then be the new attendance record in the NBA, since the Hawks currently hold it with 62,046 spectators. A bit of context? It was March 27, 1998 at the Georgia Dome, home of the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. The game ? Hawks-Bulls, the opportunity to see Michael Jordan play one last time before his second retirement. As an indication, the biggest influence in NBA history in the non-regular season/Playoffs dates back to 2010 and the All Star Game in Dallas, which brought together 108,713 people in the stadium of the NFL Cowboys.
The San Antonio Spurs will return to the Alamodome for their 50th anniversary season on Jan 13, 2023.
Stadium will be set up to hold 65,000+ fans. The NBA record for attendance at a regular season game is currently 62,046.
San Antonio, will you make history? pic.twitter.com/qM4uxT1x1H
—Jordan Howenstine (@AirlessJordan) August 17, 2022
Having the means to bring together 65,000 people for a match is one thing. Bringing them in is quite another. Let’s say that sportingly, the Spurs’ next season may be the first in a very long time not to be based on the search for performance. No, it will most certainly be quite the opposite since SA will want to seek a luxury choice at the next Draft. Rain of defeat in anticipation, and therefore difficulty in getting the fans to move? Let’s not forget that with nearly 20 years of win in the mirrors, the franchise has built a very strong fan base and it seems difficult today to imagine that they will not be present to celebrate on January 13th.
For the undecided, the Spurs have as usual planned a secret weapon: they chose a game against the Warriors – defending champions – for the event. Data that will undoubtedly convince the hesitant and will fill the stadium’s bays a little more. A small symbol, this should also allow Steve Kerr to participate in the ceremony, he who won two NBA titles as a San Antonio player in 1999 and 2003.
The Texas version fiesta, it does not laugh at the knee. The small dishes are put in the big ones to celebrate the fifty years of a franchise that marked the history of the NBA. 65,000 people are expected to take part in this XXL bamboche, so don’t be late to prepare the cake.
Source: Twitter @AirlessJordan