The future of professional sports in Dallas is uncertain as city officials work to keep the Dallas Stars hockey team from relocating, while the Dallas Wings basketball team explores alternative venues for upcoming seasons.
Dallas City Council member Chad West stated that the city is doing “everything we can” to retain the NHL franchise, including considering incentives to renovate the interior of American Airlines Center (AAC) into a more “hockey-specific” venue. The Stars’ lease at AAC ends in 2031.
West, who leads the council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention, revealed that the Stars have held serious talks about moving to Plano and currently have a letter of intent connected to a possible relocation to The Shops at Willow Bend. This mall is planned for significant redevelopment. West’s comments were initially reported by WFAA.
Officials from Plano confirmed ongoing discussions with the Stars over the past year regarding a potential arena on West Park Boulevard but denied that a formal offer has been made. Mayor John Muns previously told WFAA that Plano made “a really good offer.”
The 107-acre Willow Bend site is being redeveloped by Centennial Real Estate Management and Cawley Partners into a mixed-use district with residential, office, and hospitality components. Adding an arena could either accelerate or complicate this plan.
The situation has broader implications for Dallas both civically and financially. Since 2001, the Stars have shared AAC with the Dallas Mavericks, but their relationship has become strained. The Mavericks intend to leave after 2031 and are currently involved in litigation with the Stars over control of AAC and alleged breaches of a 1998 franchise agreement. If there is a publicly funded renovation of AAC, it may force the Stars to seek a temporary location during construction.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Wings face their own venue challenges. Team President and CEO Greg Bibb said he expects the WNBA club will play its 2027 season at AAC because renovations at Dallas Memorial Auditorium inside Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center likely will not be finished in time. The convention center project is still in early stages, with demolition just beginning on major exhibit halls.
According to Bibb, while there is an agreement from 2024 allowing AAC as a backup if Memorial Auditorium isn’t ready, no formal deal exists yet and terms have not been discussed.
Bibb also pointed out that although AAC has hosted some Wings games—including one last June attended by over 20,000 fans—the arena does not have facilities needed for full-time practice use. Currently, the Stars train in Frisco while the Mavericks use their own complex across I-35 East.
