The San Antonio Spurs issued an official statement after an elderly woman was caught on camera sending text messages questioning how Latino fans in attendance could afford tickets. The incident occurred in a city with the largest Hispanic-majority population in the U.S. – San Antonio is 64% Hispanic.
During Thursday night’s game between the Spurs and Phoenix Suns, a fan recorded an elderly white woman texting: “A lot of crazy Hispanic fans. How can they afford it.” The message was clearly visible on her phone screen while she typed.
Hurache-X Power 2
Someone at last nights Spurs game texting:
“A lot of crazy Hispanic fans. How can they afford it.”
pic.twitter.com/51fAmO5b4p— BOXING n BBQ (@BOXINGnBBQ) March 20, 2026
The clip quickly spread across social media platforms, gathering millions of views within days of being posted.
The backlash prompted a rapid response from the team’s front office.
On Friday, the Spurs organization addressed the incident directly in a public statement that emphasized their commitment to inclusivity.
“All of us in the Spurs organization are proud to live in San Antonio, a city that shines and thrives because of the culture and contributions of our Latino community,” the statement reads. “Inclusion is a foundation for the San Antonio Spurs. We strive to provide an environment, in our facilities and across our community, that celebrates belonging and respect regardless of race or ethnicity. Por Vida [For Life].”
The organization’s use of “Por Vida” – the team’s Spanish slogan meaning “For Life” – reinforced their connection to the local Hispanic community.
Spurs released this statement just a few moments ago. https://t.co/nKGuScgAmn pic.twitter.com/SNTwzeof7X
— Maddy Skye (@MaddySkye) March 20, 2026