Spurs Fandom in San Antonio: The Baseline Bums and HemisFair Arena, 1973–1993

Scholars have long debated why people are enthralled by the spectacle of professional sports and how teams affect local communities. The influence of these organizations on the places and people they represent can be profound, but fans can make indelible impressions on society as well. This article explores the history of a cohort of San Antonio Spurs supporters and reveals the fan culture present for a time in a particular sporting space. It contends these fans were not mere consumers of sport but agents who represented a place and produced meaningful experiences and relationships. However, over time, this agency diminished due to league and organizational decisions.