Two teams, one court: How the Spurs are blending tradition with a new era of entertainment

The Hype Squad and Silver Dancers celebrate a victory during the San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns game on Wednesday October 14, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tony Garcia/San Antonio Spurs) (Tony Garcia) The pom-poms are back, the stunts are flying, and two generations of Spurs entertainment are sharing the spotlight at Frost Bank Center.Eight years after the San Antonio Spurs disbanded their iconic Silver Dancers in favor of the coed Hype Squad, the franchise has brought the dancers back to perform alongside the Hype Squad rather than replace it.The result is a game-day dynamic that blends the Silver Dancers' traditional jazz and pom routines with the Hype Squad's hip-hop performances, breakdancing and high-flying stunts.For performers Grace Echterling and Elena Valdellon, the arrangement is about more than sharing the court. It's about building a new identity for Spurs entertainment while preserving the traditions that came before them."It feels iconic," said Echterling, a Silver Dancer who spent last season with the Hype Squad. "We're bringing back the legacy, but we're doing it a little bit differently."The Silver Dancers were disbanded in May 2018 amid reports of a "lack of interest," making way for the Hype Squad, which debuted during the 2018-19 NBA season.ALSO READ:Spurs vs. Mavericks: How to watch the game, who's starting, who's outJordan Mandelkorn, vice president of marketing, creative and retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, said the organization began exploring the possibility of reviving the Silver Dancers as an addition to its existing entertainment program."We love the Hype Squad. We love what they bring to the games," Mandelkorn said. "But we also kind of started to have more conversations around whether or not it was a good time to bring back the Silver Dancers in addition to the Hype Squad, not a replacement of."Two teams, one Spurs familyFor Echterling, the Silver Dancers' return presented an unexpected opportunity.The Waco native began training at the Joffrey Ballet School at age 14. She spent her rookie season with the Hype Squad before learning the franchise was reviving its longtime dance team.Excited to return to her technical dance roots but reluctant to leave her teammates, Echterling auditioned for both groups and let the coaches determine where she would fit best.She was selected for the Silver Dancers.Valdellon, a California native entering her second season with the Hype Squad, has remained focused on stunts, a specialty she developed through years of cheerleading, including at Cal State Fullerton."I think it's important that both teams understand that we bring different dynamics with Hype Squad and Silver Dancers," Valdellon said.Despite their different performance styles, the groups occasionally rehearse together, make joint community appearances and share responsibilities during games. The Hype Squad celebrate a victory during the San Antonio Spurs vs. Sacramento Kings game on Friday October 16, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Tony Garcia/San Antonio Spurs) (Tony Garcia) Silver Dancers during the San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves game on Saturday October 31, 2026 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Tony Garcia/San Antonio Spurs) (Tony Garcia) Echterling and Valdellon both experienced the excitement surrounding the Spurs' run to the 2026 NBA Finals during their rookie seasons, performing before packed crowds and navigating demanding schedules as the team's popularity surged.Valdellon also participated in watch parties at The Rock at La Cantera and the San Antonio Battle of Flowers Parade, experiences that helped her appreciate the franchise's connection to the community."San Antonio definitely has this family aspect when it comes to the Spurs," Valdellon said.That sense of community extends to the performers. Echterling recalled a training camp gathering with a pool party and s'mores that helped members of both groups build relationships before the season began.Mandelkorn said the organization views both groups as part of one broader entertainment program, with their different styles creating more opportunities to engage fans: "We feel like we're offering two different flavors throughout the course of games."Behind the performancesBefore either team takes the court, hours of preparation go into the routines and fan interactions that fill breaks in the action.Both groups went through a competitive audition process that attracted thousands of applicants. It began with video submissions, followed by in-person performances, physical evaluations and interviews.Valdellon and Echterling said their game-day schedules are similar, though arrival times and responsibilities vary by performance and assignment.Hype Squad members typically arrive at Frost Bank Center about six hours before tipoff to rehearse, warm up and prepare for performances, Valdellon said.Both groups also help prepare T-shirt giveaways, greet fans and participate in promotions. Silver Dancers may arrive later on nights they aren't scheduled to perform.The Hype Squad typically practices twice a week, while the Silver Dancers rehearse weekly. Schedules are adjusted around games and appearances.For many performers, those commitments come on top of jobs, school and other responsibilities."It's physically demanding. It's mentally draining sometimes," Echterling said.Valdellon said the demanding schedule becomes worthwhile when performers interact with fans, some of whom may be attending their first or only Spurs game."It's like lights, camera, action," she said. "We're here to create lasting memories for these fans."Mandelkorn said the organization wants to give performers the resources they need, including athletic trainers, choreographers and dedicated staff to support them throughout the season."We want to have the safest and healthiest environments possible for both practice and performance," he said.READ ALSO:Streaking Spurs brace for Mavericks' Irving-Flagg one-two punchA new era of Spurs entertainmentThe Silver Dancers' return is part of a broader effort to expand the Spurs' game-day entertainment. The effort includes the Jackals, a fan-engagement group introduced last season, as well as lighting changes and other arena enhancements.Mandelkorn said conversations about reviving the Silver Dancers began before the Spurs' run to the 2026 NBA Finals and were driven by the organization's desire to improve the fan experience."Our job is not to compete with what's going on on the court, but it's to complement it," he said.The early response to the Silver Dancers has been overwhelmingly positive, Mandelkorn said, from their preseason appearances to their opening-night performance."We could kind of feel the anticipation and the excitement around seeing them back," he said.For Echterling, the focus is on honoring the Silver Dancers' history while establishing a new identity for the team."I'm honored to be a part of the Silver Dancers' legacy and to carry it on," she said.Although the two groups bring different styles to the court, Valdellon said their mission remains the same."As long as we are doing our job and bringing a great game-day experience to all the fans that come, then the rest will handle itself," she said.SubscribeThere’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Two teams, one court: How the Spurs are blending tradition with a new era of entertainment.