Stars Leaving American Airlines Center For Texas Suburb
The Dallas Stars are abandoning the American Airlines Center, their home of 33 years.
While all of the water cooler chatter has been about Jason Robertson, there's another story developing for the Dallas-based team.
It was announced today that they are leaving downtown Dallas and their longtime home of the AAC for the suburbs of Plano, TX. The team has proposed a new arena and entertainment district in the suburbs.
An ill omen for the American Airlines Center, which has been contested by the Dallas Mavericks and the Stars, as the Dallas Sports Group, owners of the Mavericks, sued the Stars in court.
The Stars were accused by the Mavericks of blocking needed upgrades to the arena, violating the terms of their lease. This led to a fiery exchange in court between the two organizations.
The Stars didn't hold back from releasing accusatory statements of their own:
A statement released by the Stars called the lawsuit "nothing short of an attempted hostile takeover of the management of the AAC," and that the "lawsuit seeks to marginalize the Dallas Stars to the role of a mere tenant," driving the team out of Dallas.
With the Mavericks winning control of the AAC, the Stars' eyes are on the horizon, as they've submitted a mixed-use proposal in partnership with Levin Holdings & Cawley Partners, and Centennial.
The district would include retail spaces, sports entertainment, dining, and public gathering spaces, all
"anchored by a future Dallas Stars arena"
Stars owner Tom Gagliardi released a statement as they await an vote for a vote from the Plano City Council, who courted the Stars prior to the move, before beginning the redevelopment project to begin.
"This project would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our franchise," said Tom Gaglardi, the Dallas Stars' owner, governor and chairman. "We eagerly await the vote by the Plano City Council and look forward to continuing the conversation to be part of the redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend."
After a disappointing loss in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to the Minnesota Wild, they're poised to make a move to Plano within the next five years. Within that time frame, their lease with the AAC will expire, setting them free to pursue their next chapter.
"We have met with the Dallas Stars and learned they have signed a non-binding letter of intent related to a potential arena project in Plano," Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said in a statement. "The Stars have been an important part of our city and community, and we value our longstanding partnership. We will continue conversations with the organization and work collaboratively to ensure the Stars remain playing in Dallas, where generations of fans have built lasting memories since 1993."
The team submitted their nonbinding letter of intent to the Plano City Council on Tuesday, as they hope to begin a redevelopment soon. The new mixed-use development will be on the City Council's agenda as soon as next Monday.
In the meantime, they will have to figure out cap crunch issues in order to fit Jason Robertson under their cap soon, or trade him.
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