Dallas Teams Resolve Arena Dispute
Dallas Mavericks Gain Operational Control of AAC; Stars Move Headquarters to Frisco
Key Points
A Texas judge ruled in June that the Mavericks had control of the American Airlines Center in their dispute with the Stars, a decision that helped drive the settlement.
The AAC is owned by the City of Dallas and operates under a long-term lease via a jointly owned Center Operating Company, with both teams required to maintain their corporate headquarters in Dallas through 2031.
Because of favorable pretrial rulings for the Mavericks, the case did not go to trial in the Texas Business Court as originally scheduled, effectively accelerating the path to settlement.
As part of their development plans, the Mavericks hold an option to purchase roughly 104 acres at the former Valley View Mall site for future redevelopment.
The Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars have settled their yearlong legal battle over the American Airlines Center, agreeing to remain co-tenants through the 2030-31 season, according to The New York Times. The deal ends a lawsuit that threatened to upend the future of sports in downtown Dallas.
Both teams issued a joint statement confirming the agreement. Dallas Business Journal reported that the Mavericks will hold operational control of the AAC, while the Stars' corporate headquarters will move to Frisco as part of the broader deal.
Texas Judge's Ruling Pushed Both Sides to Settle
A Texas judge ruled in June that the Mavericks had control of the American Airlines Center. That ruling was a major win for Dallas Sports and Entertainment, the Mavericks' operating company. Because of those favorable pretrial rulings, the case never made it to trial in the Texas Business Court as originally scheduled, Heavy reported.
The legal edge gave the Mavericks leverage in settlement talks. Rather than risk a full trial, the Stars agreed to terms that keep both clubs under one roof through 2031. Observers say the pretrial momentum effectively fast-tracked the resolution.
AAC Lease Terms: Who Owns What, and for How Long
The American Airlines Center is owned by the City of Dallas. Both teams operate it through a jointly owned company called the Center Operating Company. Under the lease terms, both teams must keep their corporate headquarters in Dallas through 2031, according to Head Topics.
The Mavericks now hold operational control of the building. The Stars, meanwhile, have shifted their corporate headquarters to Frisco. The Dallas Wings are also set to play at AAC in 2027, keeping the arena busy with multiple tenants well into the next decade.
Stars Eye Plano Arena; Mavs Target Valley View Mall Site
Both teams are already planning their post-AAC futures. The Stars are pursuing a new arena in Plano. The Mavericks are focused on the former Valley View Mall site in Dallas. Yahoo Sports reported that both teams' current leases with the city expire in 2031.
The Mavericks hold an option to buy roughly 104 acres at the Valley View Mall site for future redevelopment. That project could become a major mixed-use entertainment district. No groundbreaking timeline has been announced yet for either team's new venue.
Dallas Entertainment District Gets a Stability Boost
Observers called the deal a win for downtown Dallas. The settlement removes years of uncertainty over the arena's future and keeps two major professional sports anchors in the city's entertainment district through the end of the decade, according to The New York Times.
With the Mavericks running day-to-day operations and the Stars still playing their home games there, the AAC remains one of the busiest arenas in the Southwest. The agreement gives fans, the city, and local businesses a clear picture through at least 2031.
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