The specter of a move to Austin by the San Antonio Spurs is lurking in the background of an upcoming big vote in the Alamo City.

Why it matters: Major league sports teams often use the threat of relocation — real or perceived — to pressure local governments and voters to put public tax dollars toward new arenas and stadiums. Economists say the public pays and owners profit.

What they're saying: Spurs Sports & Entertainment declined to answer questions from Axios about whether team ownership is discussing a move to Austin, or if the team would commit to remaining in San Antonio should a public funding vote fail.

• "For over 50 years, our commitment to San Antonio has never wavered, and we believe voters will recognize this opportunity to move our city forward together," spokesperson Liberty Swift tells Axios in an emailed statement.

State of play: San Antonio officials have said the Spurs don't intend to stay at the Frost Bank Center after the team's lease is up in 2032. Fans have long feared Austin's larger corporate base could lure the team away, especially as the Spurs have worked to build a larger presence in Austin in recent years.

• San Antonio city manager Erik Walsh told Mayor Gina Jones in a July email that delays in negotiations risk team ownership "initiating other long term plans," the Express-News reported.

Yes, but: Austin isn't a realistic option for the Spurs, J.C. Bradbury, an economics professor at Kennesaw State University who has studied the impact of sports facilities, tells Axios.

• He calls relocation talk a "trick" to justify taxpayer funding, and says Austin doesn't have an ongoing arena plan to draw the team in.

Zoom in: Decades of economic research has shown little, if any, benefit to public financing for arenas and stadiums.

• Economists have found that people simply spend their money in the new sports district, instead of restaurants or concerts in other areas.

What's next: Bexar County voters will decide on Nov. 4 whether the county should increase its venue tax to help pay for a new arena.

When teams actually leave

For hundreds or over a thousand dollars, a growing field of "pumpkin concierges" will deliver and decoratively assemble gourds and other seasonal goodies.

The big picture: Professional porch decorating is becoming big business, with options across the country, including in Austin.

How it works: Packages range from eye-catching clusters — with add-ons like hay bales and cornstalks costing extra — to abundant displays that cascade down a home's entryway.

• Some businesses even offer to dispose of the pumpkins after Halloween or Thanksgiving for a fee.

What they're saying: "Our goal is to make things uniquely fabulous and easy," says McCaulley Patterson, who's part of a team in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• Most clients are busy families, professionals and small businesses who want a festive look "without having to do the heavy lifting themselves," she tells Axios.

Follow the money: There's plenty of cash on the vine.

• One entrepreneur told Business Insider that her Texas-based porch pumpkin business makes six figures, and she's starting to franchise.

Yes, but: Most people aren't splurging on luxury fall decor.

• In 2024, Halloween shoppers were estimated to spend an average of $33.57 on decorations — just shy of the previous year's record, according to the National Retail Federation.

The bottom line: You can buy curb appeal this fall without visiting a pumpkin patch.

Police have identified the woman critically injured in a shootout near Zilker Park last week. (Austin American-Statesman 🔒)

🌆 Austin City Council approved tougher rules for short-term rentals to crack down on unlicensed properties. (KVUE)

✈️ Delta will dramatically ramp up its operations at the Austin airport, with new nonstop flights and plans to increase its pool of Austin employees. (Austin Business Journal 🔒)

📱 A Texas State professor was fired after he was accused of inciting violence in a video of him speaking at a socialism conference. (KUT)

👋 Nicole here. Feeling finally back in my routine after a busy week.

What's happening: I recently traveled to Puerto Morelos, Mexico, for my soon-to-be sister-in-law's bachelorette weekend (say that five times fast).

Zoom in: About 30 minutes from the Cancún airport, Puerto Morelos feels refreshingly untouched by heavy tourism. It's lowkey, beautiful and full of great spots to eat and drink.

• We documented the trip on a Kodak half frame film camera, the same one my soon-to-be sister-in-law has used for special occasions, including my own bachelorette and bridal shower.
• She gets her rolls developed and digitized at Holland Photo off South Lamar or Lago Vista Film Lab on Guadalupe Street.

Between the lines: Film has been making a comeback since the pandemic. Still, even with the renewed interest, Eastman Kodak warned last month that it may soon go out of business.

The bottom line: In a world where your iPhone roll has a dozen near-identical shots, I love that film offers no do-overs — and there's a thrill in waiting to see what develops.

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Here's what's on deck this workweek.

Monday

🇲🇽 Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Republic Square, featuring live music, a community resource fair and children's activities. 6-9pm, free.

Tuesday

💐 Enjoy a late night at the Wildflower Center during their Tuesday Twilights series, with music from Matt Salois of Dear Fellow. 5-8pm, included with admission.

Wednesday

🎵 Catch Lorde at the Moody Center. Doors open at 7pm. Resale tickets available on Ticketmaster.

Thursday

🎃 Embrace fall on the first day of Pioneer Farm's Pumpkin Nights. 6-11pm, $18.