San Antonio Allocates $20,000 for Final Four Tickets for Council Members
The NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2025 concluded with the Florida Gators defeating the University of Houston in a dramatic championship game held at the Alamodome. The event attracted a crowd of 66,602, including several members of the San Antonio City Council, who attended using city-funded tickets.
Ticket Purchases and Costs
Records obtained through a KSAT investigation reveal that the San Antonio Convention and Sports Facilities Department spent $20,000 to purchase 20 VIP tickets valued at $1,000 each. These tickets were provided to council members and their guests.
A city spokesperson stated that it is routine for council members to represent San Antonio at significant events like the NCAA Men’s Final Four, emphasizing that ticket revenues from the Alamodome funded this expenditure. “The NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament placed San Antonio on a national stage and will be an economic boon to the city, injecting an estimated $440 million into the community,” said Brian Chasnoff, the city’s assistant director of communications.
Mayor’s Attendance and Justifications
Mayor Ron Nirenberg attended the championship, having acquired his tickets from the city manager’s office, separate from the city council’s allocation. He brought his son as his guest. The Mayor’s office clarified that these tickets were located in the NCAA president’s section and classified the mayor as an official ambassador for the city during the event.
Reactions from Council Members
Responses to the city-funded tickets varied among the council members:
- Councilwoman Sukh Kaur expressed pride in representing the city and highlighted the community’s enjoyment of the event.
- Councilman Jalen McKee Rodriguez attended primarily for discussions about future investments in San Antonio, admitting he typically declines game tickets but valued the opportunities for civic dialogue at the Final Four.
- Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran defended the practice of attending such events, stating it aligns with the responsibilities of being a good city representative.
- Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia felt uncomfortable about the city covering the ticket costs and decided to reimburse the expense upon discovering its value post-event.
Additional Council Perspectives
Other council members had varying levels of engagement with the event:
- Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito did not request or use city tickets.
- Councilman Manny Pelaez remarked that he was unaware of the tickets being offered and questioned the overall value of council representation at such events.
Conclusion
This expenditure has sparked conversations about the transparency surrounding the use of public resources, highlighting the need for ongoing dialogues about accountability in municipal spending. The 2025 NCAA Men’s Final Four not only showcased college basketball talent but also ignited discussions regarding financial decisions by public officials in San Antonio.