San Antonio Spurs & Entertainment Expands Into Central Texas With Title Sponsorship Of Austin International Half Marathon

AUSTIN, Texas—Before a blood clot erased the final 36 games of Victor Wembanyama’s second NBA season for the San Antonio Spurs in February, consider this. 

The 7-foot, 3-inch and 235-pound forward not only scored 24.3 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, but he also covered 2.4 miles per game on average, including 1.3 miles on the offensive side of the ball. Only 42 players in the league averaged more in combined distance a year ago. 

That meant by every sixth game, the big Frenchman accumulated up to a half marathon in distance (13.1 miles). Every 11th game, that tally added up to a marathon (26.2 miles). Over 46 games, Wembanyama ran a total of 110 miles.

So running? The big Frenchman can hold his own. There were even those videos of Wembanyama jogging with monks during his time off the court.

And the Spurs?

On Tuesday, Spurs Sports & Entertainment advanced its support of the Central Texas running community with a formalized partnership with the Austin International Half Marathon, securing title sponsorship over a multi-year agreement. 

A year ago, the Spurs produced a small integration at the finish line of the race, along with other pop-ups across the city. The annual Austin race, which was formerly known as the 3M Half Marathon and features a fast point-to-point net downhill course, welcomed over 7,000 runners from 47 states and 14 countries. The half marathon first debuted in 1995. 

“This partnership represents another meaningful step in strengthening our bond with the Austin community,” said Brandon James, Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Deputy General Counsel for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. 

“From grassroots initiatives to bringing Spurs basketball to Austin through the I-35 Series, we’re committed to showing up in authentic and lasting ways. Aligning with one of the region’s premier running events not only deepens our presence in Central and South Texas, but also reinforces our dedication to health, wellness, and building community.” 

What The Spurs’ Title Sponsorship Means for Austin

When it comes to running events in Austin, anything goes. In any given race, you might find runners in banana suits, runners in tutus, runners in blue jeans. Will we even see runners in cowboy boots and spurs in 2026? 

That remains to be seen. But with the partnership, the Spurs have indicated their support of the running community, which is currently booming in Central Texas. The city features over 100 running clubs and plays host to thousands of runners each week on the city’s trails and roads. 

The agreement also continues the strategic inroads the franchise has built in the market, which spans the greater Austin and San Antonio metropolitan areas. In 2025, the Spurs played two games at the Moody Center, marking the third straight year the team has managed that collaboration.  

As James pointed out a year ago, no other NBA team has achieved that feat domestically. The Spurs’ local G-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, play out of the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park. 

The San Antonio Spurs Are Thinking Long-Term

Right now, the city of San Antonio is amid discussions for a potential $4 billion dollar development district that would include a new Spurs stadium–projected at about $1.2 billion dollars. They’ve called the large-scale plan “Project Marvel.”  

Who knows. Maybe the partnership within the Austin market could open up even greater opportunities. Heck, maybe we’ll even see Wembanyama as an honorary starter January. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Spurs,” Jack Murray, the owner and partnership director of the Austin International Half, said of the agreement. “They’ve shown time and again that their commitment to Austin goes far beyond basketball. Their values—teamwork, wellness, and uplifting the community—mirror everything this race stands for. Together, we’re creating something more than a race. We’re building an experience.”