Who are the Spurs' Jackals? Explaining Victor Wembanyama's fan section at San Antonio home games originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Deep within the recesses of Frost Bank Center exists a wall of noise.The sounds are more hymns than yells.

At times, the basketball court turns into a cathedral, its parishioners regaling in the spirit -- and artistry -- that takes place atop the Spurs' hardwood.For a select few of those San Antonio-based acolytes, those chants mean more. They are an identifying mark, one which has made them a favorite of Spurs supernova Victor Wembanyama.These are the Jackals, an elite cadre of San Antonio fans who, through a relationship with Wembanyama, have conjured up memories of the bombastic scenes that sprawl across the stands during European soccer matches.With that, here's what you need to know about the Jackals, a menacing collective of Spurs diehards changing the state of fandom one cheer at a time.MORE: How Victor Wembanyama ranks compared to Yao Ming and other giantsWho are the Jackals?The Jackals refer to a rabid section of Spurs supporters who croon and groan during San Antonio's home games.

They are Wembanyama's brainchild, taking shape in wisps of memories from his childhood. Like many Parisians, Wembanyama grew up supporting Paris Saint-Germain. PSG's home stadium, the Parc des Prince, is a gleaming colossus filled with a tempest of noise.

No supporters are louder than the Collectif Ultras, who chant fight songs and hoist hulking tifos that billow throughout home and away games.MORE:13 most devastating injuries in NBA playoffs historyWembanyama wanted to recreate the rowdiness of an evening PSG matchup at Spurs games. He enlisted seven San Antonio supporters to do so, pitching the idea during a secret meeting at Spurs HQ.Wembanyama's idea was simple: he wanted to cultivate the sort of rowdy atmospheres that find a home at European soccer games. He even had a name for this elite cadre: the Jackals, Europe's answer to the North American coyote, the Spurs' mascot.“I’m one of the first eight Jackals,” Wembanyama told The Athletic.

“Of course, I’m a Jackal.”MORE: Ranking the 18 best second round draft picks in NBA historyThe Jackals are an exclusive, members-only club. They hibernate near the visitors' bench, shelling out $1,000 apiece to take to their posts. In exchange for their service, they take home quite the deal: a full-season ticket package that comes with parking passes.The Jackals howl and hymn throughout Spurs games, creating splendid chaos in the concourses.

Their efforts look to have worked a charm; San Antonio recorded its joint-third-best record in franchise history in 2026.Who can join the Jackals?Fans trying to join the Jackals are bound by certain edicts. They must be 18 years old or older (unless accompanied by an adult of legal guardian). They also must attend at least 75 percent of San Antonio's regular season home games.

Memberships cost $1,000 a year and come with select discounts and deals.MORE: Which NBA teams have never won an NBA title?They lie in wait in "The Lair", sprawled across four rows in Section 114. Above all else, they must be rowdy, firing off chants throughout Spurs home games.Early returns have been promising:When did the Jackals start?The Jackals kicked off in earnest in Sept. 2025, taking shape following an orientation between Wembanyama and seven captains he had hand-picked to turn his vision into reality.The captains filed into San Antonio's film room, unsure of what was to come next. They were greeted by the spindly Spurs star, hands wrapped over an iPad and a speaker.Wembanyama pored over hours of tape to determine who would lead his makeshift armada.

These magnificent seven were his teammates now. He made sure they knew as much.“The pack leaders, I told them they don’t have to call me Wemby anymore,” Wembanyama said. “Because now we’re part of the same crew.”MORE: Which team has the most wins in an NBA season?