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Spurs set Moody Center record amid push to broaden fan reach in Austin

The crowd of 16,223 for Nuggets-Spurs on Friday at Austin’s Moody Center was the largest for a sporting event in the stadium's historyGetty Images

The crowd of 16,223 for Nuggets-Spurs on Friday at Austin’s Moody Center was the "largest for a sporting event in the stadium's history,” reminding the Spurs that "despite being an hour out from San Antonio, this was still a home game,” according to Caleb Yum of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. Last year, the Spurs hosted the T’Wolves in a 151-131 loss that saw a crowd of 16,148 “pack into the arena.” Not much “has changed record wise since then” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 3/16). The AP's Raul Dominguez noted the game played in Austin drew a "record crowd in their bid to broaden their regional fan base.” The Spurs have played in Austin the last two seasons to “broaden their reach financially and build their fan base,” and the move has “proved a popular choice" (AP, 3/15).

SOME DIFFICULTIES: Dominguez noted the game had its “difficulties logistically.” Teams were “unfamiliar with where to go in the stadium.” Monitors and video boards for statistics were “not updating or were completely out,” and Spurs radio announcer Bill Schoening had to “deliver his broadcast over his cellphone.” Nuggets coach Michael Malone was “concerned his team would not have the right mindset, since Austin is not a traditional NBA city.” He said, “It has a preseason feel to it" (AP, 3/15). Malone before tipoff said, “I don’t know why we’re here. I’m still trying to figure that out. But, here we are, so you’ve got to embrace it” (THE ATHLETIC, 3/16).

EMBRACING THE REGION: THE ATHLETIC's Mike Monroe wrote the atmosphere in Austin was “electric -- from start to finish.” The Spurs organization is “committed to embracing its fans in one of the fastest-growing cities in America.” Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford said, “We have a market that isn’t in the top 10 in the country. When we connect our San Antonio and Austin markets we become one of the major players in the professional sports community.” Buford: “We’ve got the fastest-growing region in the nation. Between Monterrey (Mexico), south Texas, central Texas and Austin it’s the fastest-growing economic region in North America. So, we want to come meet our fans where they are. We’ve got great fans and have a community in Austin that’s been a part of our team and culture for years” (THE ATHLETIC, 3/16).

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