San Antonio Spurs, commonly referred to as Spurs or simply San Antonio, is one of the most iconic and successful basketball teams in the NBA. Founded in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association (ABA), it changed its name to San Antonio Spurs in 1973. The team is based in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and plays its home matches at the famous AT&T Center, which has a seating capacity of over 18,000.
San Antonio Spurs has a rich history, boasting 5 NBA Championships, 6 Conference titles, and numerous Division titles. The team enjoyed its most successful era under legendary head coach Gregg Popovich, who led Spurs to all five of their NBA Championships between 1999 and 2014.
Known for its team-focused style of play and 'Pound the Rock' philosophy, the club has nurtured some of basketball’s greatest talents, including George Gervin, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, and Manu Ginobili. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances post-Duncan, San Antonio Spurs remains one of the NBA's most respected basketball teams, with a global fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence American and world basketball.
San Antonio Spurs is one of the most popular basketball teams in the world, with one of the highest average home attendances in the NBA. The club states that its worldwide fan base includes more than 200 officially recognised branches of the San Antonio Spurs Supporters Club (SASC), in at least 24 countries. The club takes advantage of this support through its worldwide summer tours. Accountancy firm and sports industry consultants Deloitte estimate that San Antonio Spurs has 75 million fans worldwide. The club has the third highest social media following in the world among sports teams (after Lakers and Golden State Warriors), with over 82 million Facebook followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that San Antonio Spurs had the loudest fans in the NBA.
San Antonio Spurs was formed in 1967 as Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association (ABA). The team initially played games against other ABA teams, but on 20 November 1967, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the colours of the franchise—silver and black—they were defeated 116-108 by Denver Nuggets.
In October 1980, the rise of star player George Gervin, also known as 'The Iceman', led the team to multiple successful seasons. Gervin led the team to consistent playoff finishes and individual scoring titles, dominating the NBA with his unique finger roll shot. In 1980, the club had one of its most successful seasons, making it to the Conference Finals.
On 11 July 2016, Tim Duncan announced that he was to retire as a player at the end of the basketball season, but would remain at the club as a coach and team ambassador. He retired as one of the most decorated players in basketball history. The club announced the next day that Gregg Popovich would continue his long tenure as head coach, having signed a contract extension. Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, part of the club's 'Big Three' along with Duncan, continued to play key roles until their respective retirements in 2018 and 2019, marking the end of an era for the Spurs.
Originally funded by the South Texas Investors, the Spurs became a limited company in 1973 and sold shares to local supporters for a certain amount via an application form. In 1976, majority ownership passed to a group of 22 businessmen, known as Angello Drossos, John Schaefer, and Red McCombs, who invested a significant amount to save the club from bankruptcy. After the death of Drossos in 1997, the club faced challenges but was saved by Peter Holt, who assumed control of the club after an investment of a substantial amount. Holt promoted his wife, Julianna, to the board in 1996, but stepped down two decades later; the Holt family retained ownership of the club through Julianna, but the position of chairman passed to co-CEO Rick Pych.
Promoted to the board a few days after the departure of coach Bob Hill, Gregg Popovich, a friend of R. C. Buford, began making key decisions for the club; with an investment of dedication and strategic planning, he accumulated a significant influence and took control in December 1996. When Peter Holt stepped down in March 2016, his shares passed to Julianna Hawn Holt, who later sold a percentage of her shares to sixth-largest shareholder Michael Dell in February 2020; Michael Dell went on to become a prominent shareholder in the team. Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch showed interest in buying the club in 2004, but did not meet Holt's asking price. In 2020, chairman Julianna Hawn Holt attempted to sell the club to Michael Dell for an undisclosed amount, but the sale fell through and Dell joined the board of directors instead.
San Antonio Spurs is one of the most successful clubs in NBA in terms of trophies won. The club's first trophy was the Division title, which they won in 1978. In 1999, the club won their first NBA Championship and has won the NBA Championship four more times since then. In total, they have won five NBA Championships. They have also won 22 Division titles, which includes a record six consecutive Division titles from 2011 to 2016. The Spurs have secured a playoff spot in 49 of their 52 seasons in the NBA, including a record 22 consecutive playoff appearances from 1998 to 2020.
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San Antonio Spurs - History & Facts: Detailed history and facts about San Antonio Spurs, including information about their founding, major events, and notable players. https://www.nba.com/spurs/history
San Antonio Spurs - Championships, Players & Coaches: An overview of the San Antonio Spurs' major achievements, including their NBA Championships and notable players and coaches. https://www.britannica.com/topic/San-Antonio-Spurs
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