City manager approved $20K Final Four tickets for SA council members, sparking community response

SAN ANTONIO – Updated on April 11 at 4:40 p.m. to include District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo’s attendance at Final Four games.

KSAT Investigates learned who authorized using taxpayer money to buy $20,000 worth of Final Four tickets for council members and a guest — San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh.

Earlier this week, KSAT Investigates uncovered records that show the city’s Convention & Sports Facilities department paid $20,000 for NCAA Men’s Final Four tickets to give to the City Council.

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The city said the money came from Alamodome revenue. The revenue covered the cost of 20 VIP tickets, each with a $1,000 price tag and a center-court view.

In a statement, Walsh defended his decision to purchase the tickets.

“Mayor and Council members represent the community, and they’re our board of directors,” Walsh said. “This is a city facility where we were hosting the tournament.”

Did your council member attend?

KSAT Investigates contacted all 10 council members to ask if they used the tickets and whether or not they took a guest.

Did attend

• District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur refused to answer if she brought a guest.
• District 2 Councilman Jalen-McKee Rodriguez took an unnamed guest. The councilman told KSAT that since he attended as a representative of the city, there is no expectation to pay for or reimburse the tickets.
• District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran. She told KSAT she brought her sister. She said attending the games was part of her official city duties, which is why she does not intend to reimburse the city.
• District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia took her godson. She told KSAT she planned to reimburse the cost of the tickets to the city.
• District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo. A spokesperson has not answered questions about if Castillo took a guest or if she planned to reimburse the city for the cost of the tickets.
• District 10 Councilman Marc Whyte told KSAT his 13-year-old daughter attended the game with him. He posted on Facebook that he reimbursed the city for the tickets.

Did not attend

• District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda
• District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito
• District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez 
• District 9 Councilman John Courage

Several viewers shared their reactions to the city’s decision to use taxpayer money to purchase the seats.

“And here we are poor taxpayers taking our children to an $8 Minecraft movie, so that our City officials can enjoy a basketball game at our expense!!” wrote Sandra Valadez on Facebook.

“This is shameful and needs to STOP,” wrote Rosemary Aguilar Dana.

Others wondered if the money could have been put to better use.

“Just think how many tiny homes could have been built for our homeless population,” wrote Ann. “Shame on the City of San Antonio.”

Some people did not believe the purchase was a big deal.

“The fact that you care about a measly 20k being spent out of the billions spent on the city shows you all will complain about anything,” wrote Feliza Fleischer on Facebook.

“It’s a perk of the job … many companies have suites in sport arenas .. they offer tickets to employees as an incentive," Joey Garcia commented on Facebook. “People acting like they never have gotten free seats to any type of events.”

Read more reporting on the KSAT Investigates page.

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• BCSO looking for man accused of trying to run over ex-SAPD officer outside court hearing
• City of San Antonio spent $20K on Final Four VIP tickets for council members and guests, records show
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