Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"They want to grow," Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said last week when he revealed on the YouTube show TRASH TALK that "eight or ten" players were expected to join Wembanyama in France for workouts. Buford said Wembanyama organizing the practices underscores his leadership skills. "Just seeing Victor calling his team and saying, 'Hey, come over here and spend a week with me' (shows his leadership)," Buford said.
Gregg Popovich is moving in a positive direction as he continues to recover from his health issues. San Antonio Spurs CEO RC Buford provided the uplifting update on the basketball legend in his recent appearance on Trashtalk. “He continues to rehab with more purpose and diligence than I think any of us could have imagined," Buford revealed when asked about Popovich's current health status. "He’s improving, and his presence is always there to support the team.”
Victor Wembanyama will bring several San Antonio Spurs teammates and coaches together in France ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season Spurs CEO R.C. Buford revealed that a group of around eight to ten people will travel to Paris next week to spend time and work with the French star before training camp. “Our coaches and players are going to be here together next week, doing some work in Paris,” Buford said during an appearance on TrashTalk. “They’re coming over to see Victor, about eight or ten of them.”
The Spurs' goal last season was to return to the playoffs. You ultimately reached the NBA Finals (losing 4-1 to the New York Knicks) . Looking back, what are you most proud of? RC Buford: From the leadership of the general manager ( Brian Wright ) and the coach ( Mitch Johnson ) , to the way the players managed to gel as a team. They took more joy in each other's successes than any team I've ever seen. Our style of play, our ball movement, and the genuine emotion we saw on the court after winning the Conference Finals against Oklahoma City (4-3)—it was all authentic. And that's very rare in elite sports.
The Spurs will return to Europe next January, with two regular season games relocated to Paris on the 14th, and then to Manchester, England, on the 17th, against the New Orleans Pelicans. Was this a request from you, or a decision made by the NBA? RC Buford: We are an international program and have always been committed to growing and getting closer to our fans around the world. Playing in Paris again obviously means something to Victor, but we didn't request it. I think the League recognized the impact he had when he played in Paris during the 2024 Olympics and then at the Paris Games in January 2025. The French market is different from the US market, but we have been incredibly well served so far, both by our fans and our commercial partners. And we'll be back in Paris at the end of the month to meet people there and inaugurate a new basketball court
Advertisement
Maxime Aubin: Are the Spurs pursuing LeBron James? I asked RC Buford about it. Here’s his answer: “What I will say is that we’re excited about the team we’ve been able to keep together — and to add Tobias [Harris] to that, plus our young draft picks. I think our history shows how we build teams.” Full one-on-one interview with the Spurs CEO tomorrow in @lequipe
Shams Charania: Spurs chairman Peter J. Holt, CEO RC Buford, GM Brian Wright and coach Mitch Johnson traveled to Paris to meet and spend time with Victor Wembanyama and his family and reps Friday. Wembanyama was essentially a lock to earn a $303M supermax if he played 65 games next season -- but he opted for a significant sacrifice at a flash point for the Spurs' rise. In the Spurs championship past, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker had a history of taking less for the betterment of team-building.
The NBA, the San Antonio Spurs and Emirates are hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to officially unveil refurbished spaces at the Denver Heights Community Center. As a part of its NBA Cares Finals Legacy Project presented by Emirates, the community center’s revamped gym, multipurpose room and “upgraded gaming equipment for youth and families” will be on display for use for the first time.
Among the attendees for the ceremony will be: · NBA Commissioner Adam Silver · NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum · Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO RC Buford · Spurs players Harrison Barnes, Lindy Waters III, Mason Plumlee, Bismack Biyombo and David Jones Garcia
Bayern, a long-time San Antonio attorney who earned his law degree from Texas in 1965 and specializes in estate planning and probate work for the firm of Langley & Banack, said he has mixed feelings about finally deciding to call it quits due to his children wanting him to "slow down," a few health problems and the increased difficulty of navigating construction on Interstate 35 at night. "Good and bad," he said of his emotions after Spurs Sports & Entertainment CEO R.C. Buford presented him with a framed Spurs No. 50 jersey emblazoned with "Bayern" at the Frost Bank Center. "I'm delighted I'm retiring, but on the other hand, I'm going to miss it," he said. "After 50 years, I've gotten used to coming down every night."
Advertisement
The Spurs on Friday announced the hiring of former Florida Panthers executive James Suh as their chief financial officer. Suh will oversee "all financial operations and long-term strategic planning for Spurs Sports & Entertainment and its portfolio of teams and venues" while reporting directly to franchise chief executive officer R.C. Buford, the Spurs said in a press release.
“James is an accomplished leader with a proven ability to navigate complex organizations and deliver sustainable growth,” Buford said. “His experience leading financial strategy at the highest levels of professional sports, combined with his collaborative leadership style and values that align deeply with our culture and community-driven mission, makes him an outstanding addition to our executive team. As we continue to invest in our teams, our venues and our community, James will play a critical role in shaping the future of Spurs Sports & Entertainment.”
RC Buford on Gregg Popovich: “He’s incredibly disciplined—one of the most disciplined people I’ve ever met. He comes into the gym five days a week, does his rehabilitation, and continues to get better. The most emotional part of his journey now is that Tim has been in the gym with him every day. When Manu, Tony, or Boris come in from out of town, they’re there with him every day as well. It’s incredible to see the love and respect they have for each other. None of those guys have to be there, and Pop would still be there whether they were or not. To me, that shows we have a different kind of relationship and emotional connection within our organization, because I don’t think there are many teams where you would see that.”
RC Buford: “I think we had many coaches over the last 10 years who could have stepped into that role. Ime Udoka was with us, along with James Borrego, Brett Brown, Mike Budenholzer, and Will Hardy. There were many people with us who could have stepped into that role, but the longer Coach Pop stayed, the more those coaches moved on to other opportunities. When we needed Mitch to step up, he did so in a big way. It was incredibly emotional for him to take on that role. ‘Interim’ is probably the wrong word, because at the time of Pop’s stroke, we didn’t know whether Pop could come back. Mitch had that year to show the players—and all of us—who he could be as a coach.”