"Goodbye" American Airlines Center, and "Hello" vacant/dying malls

[jbhtexas]

On the pro sports business side of things...

Pretty big sports news in the DFW area over the past couple of weeks, as both the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars have announced they will be leaving the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas when their respective leases end in 2031.

The interesting thing is where they are both going. The Mavs are moving to north Dallas to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the vacant Valley View Mall. The Stars are moving to Plano to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the dying Shops at Willow Bend mall.

There have been a number of interviews on TV with the GMs of both clubs. The Mavs GM is more subtle, while the Stars GM is pretty blunt, but the primary reason given by both for leaving is that the teams want to control and make money from the entertainment venues and amenities around the arenas. That seems to be the current paradigm for new sports arenas. The Stars are going to Plano, because that is reported to be where the majority of the season ticket holders are located.

The poor 25-year old AAC seems to be doomed in this new paradigm. The city of Dallas owns the arena, but Victory Park and the other properties around the AAC are owned by a few other big developers, and neither the Mavs nor Stars could grab enough land or make deals to bring in the revenue they wanted from the surroudning area. It will be interesting to see what happens to the AAC.

 

[psycln11]

On the pro sports business side of things...

Pretty big sports news in the DFW area over the past couple of weeks, as both the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars have announced they will be leaving the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas when their respective leases end in 2031.

The interesting thing is where they are both going. The Mavs are moving to north Dallas to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the vacant Valley View Mall. The Stars are moving to Plano to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the dying Shops at Willow Bend mall.

There have been a number of interviews on TV with the GMs of both clubs. The Mavs GM is more subtle, while the Stars GM is pretty blunt, but the primary reason given by both for leaving is that the teams want to control and make money from the entertainment venues and amenities around the arenas. That seems to be the current paradigm for new sports arenas. The Stars are going to Plano, because that is reported to be where the majority of the season ticket holders are located.

The poor 25-year old AAC seems to be doomed in this new paradigm. The city of Dallas owns the arena, but Victory Park and the other properties around the AAC are owned by a few other big developers, and neither the Mavs or Stars could grab enough land or make deals to bring in the revenue they wanted from the surroudning area. It will be interesting to see what happens to the AAC.

Maybe the Big 12 should host the MBB and WBB tourneys there!

 

[Cyhig]

On the pro sports business side of things...

Pretty big sports news in the DFW area over the past couple of weeks, as both the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars have announced they will be leaving the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas when their respective leases end in 2031.

The interesting thing is where they are both going. The Mavs are moving to north Dallas to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the vacant Valley View Mall. The Stars are moving to Plano to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the dying Shops at Willow Bend mall.

There have been a number of interviews on TV with the GMs of both clubs. The Mavs GM is more subtle, while the Stars GM is pretty blunt, but the primary reason given by both for leaving is that the teams want to control and make money from the entertainment venues and amenities around the arenas. That seems to be the current paradigm for new sports arenas. The Stars are going to Plano, because that is reported to be where the majority of the season ticket holders are located.

The poor 25-year old AAC seems to be doomed in this new paradigm. The city of Dallas owns the arena, but Victory Park and the other properties around the AAC are owned by a few other big developers, and neither the Mavs or Stars could grab enough land or make deals to bring in the revenue they wanted from the surroudning area. It will be interesting to see what happens to the AAC.

Reminded me of this scene. They’re not in the sports business, they are in the real estate business

 

[Gonzo]

So the Plano venue is going to be a purpose-built, dedicated hockey arena? Same with the Mavs new home?

Seems weird they wouldn't come together with one new arena for both clubs, one massively cool entertainment district to bring in revenues for both.

 

[HOTDON]

I am extremely ignorant on the subject of pro sports ownership, but once again this is where DSM is fortunate not to have a pro team to house. There is certainly money being left on the table in other ways, but it seems like taxpayers just get boned when this stuff happens.

I was in Memphis a while back and read up on the pyramid they went all in on building. It attracted the Grizzlies, but didn't meet NBA requirements so they ended up building an all new arena. Somehow during the construction of that arena the pyramid was sufficient to be a temporary home but then it sat empty for several years until Bass Pro Shops bailed the city out and moved in.

 

[Drew0311]

Mavs are more concerned with where they are playing than keeping players like Japen Brunson and Luka

 

[cykadelic2]

On the pro sports business side of things...

Pretty big sports news in the DFW area over the past couple of weeks, as both the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars have announced they will be leaving the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas when their respective leases end in 2031.

The interesting thing is where they are both going. The Mavs are moving to north Dallas to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the vacant Valley View Mall. The Stars are moving to Plano to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the dying Shops at Willow Bend mall.

There have been a number of interviews on TV with the GMs of both clubs. The Mavs GM is more subtle, while the Stars GM is pretty blunt, but the primary reason given by both for leaving is that the teams want to control and make money from the entertainment venues and amenities around the arenas. That seems to be the current paradigm for new sports arenas. The Stars are going to Plano, because that is reported to be where the majority of the season ticket holders are located.

The poor 25-year old AAC seems to be doomed in this new paradigm. The city of Dallas owns the arena, but Victory Park and the other properties around the AAC are owned by a few other big developers, and neither the Mavs or Stars could grab enough land or make deals to bring in the revenue they wanted from the surroudning area. It will be interesting to see what happens to the AAC.

Stars President mentioned when the AAC opened, it had 160 suites and renovations later cut that number to 100 which is still far too many according to him.The “in” thing now are clubs which have large gatherings areas with food/beverage along with premium seats instead of suites. The AAC cannot accommodate transforming 50 or so of the remaining suites to club areas. This along with the surrounding real estate issue will likely result in the AAC being demolished.

 

[FinalFourCy]

On the pro sports business side of things...

Pretty big sports news in the DFW area over the past couple of weeks, as both the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars have announced they will be leaving the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas when their respective leases end in 2031.

The interesting thing is where they are both going. The Mavs are moving to north Dallas to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the vacant Valley View Mall. The Stars are moving to Plano to build a new arena and entertainment district at the site of the dying Shops at Willow Bend mall.

There have been a number of interviews on TV with the GMs of both clubs. The Mavs GM is more subtle, while the Stars GM is pretty blunt, but the primary reason given by both for leaving is that the teams want to control and make money from the entertainment venues and amenities around the arenas. That seems to be the current paradigm for new sports arenas. The Stars are going to Plano, because that is reported to be where the majority of the season ticket holders are located.

The poor 25-year old AAC seems to be doomed in this new paradigm. The city of Dallas owns the arena, but Victory Park and the other properties around the AAC are owned by a few other big developers, and neither the Mavs or Stars could grab enough land or make deals to bring in the revenue they wanted from the surroudning area. It will be interesting to see what happens to the AAC.

Same as to why the Bears “can’t” build in the city- it doesn’t offer the cheap space needed for Bears City

AAC is a perfectly good arena. Another example as to why taxpayers should not build stadiums for private profits. As soon as the taxpayers have paid off the stadium, the franchise will extort them again.

 

[ISUTex]

So will the Stars have to change to the Plano Stars? I mean, they won't be "in" Dallas. Can't call them Dallas. Right?

 

[JP4CY]

Stars President mentioned when the AAC opened, it had 160 suites and renovations later cut that number to 100 which is still far too many according to him.The “in” thing now are clubs which have large gatherings areas with food/beverage along with premium seats instead of suites. The AAC cannot accommodate transforming 50 or so of the remaining suites to club areas. This along with the surrounding real estate issue will likely result in the AAC being demolished.

The "club" thing is very real from my experience.
Not just hockey/basketball but also football - US Bank has a Polaris club that has mini food stations that are kinda cool.

 

[cykadelic2]

So will the Stars have to change to the Plano Stars? I mean, they won't be "in" Dallas. Can't call them Dallas. Right?

Yep, if there is a change to Plano Stars then there needs to be a corresponding change to Arlington Cowboys.

Not gonna happen.

 

[aeroclone]

Yep, if there is a change to Plano Stars then there needs to be a corresponding change to Arlington Cowboys.

Not gonna happen.

And before the were the Arlington Cowboys they were the Irving Cowbows. Because of course, the old stadium wasn't in Dallas either.

 

[Al_4_State]

So the Plano venue is going to be a purpose-built, dedicated hockey arena? Same with the Mavs new home?

Seems weird they wouldn't come together with one new arena for both clubs, one massively cool entertainment district to bring in revenues for both.

Especially given their relative proximity within the greater metro

 

[Al_4_State]

So will the Stars have to change to the Plano Stars? I mean, they won't be "in" Dallas. Can't call them Dallas. Right?

Why?

The New York Giants play in New Jersey. The DC teams played in Maryland for years. The Miami Dolphins play in Miami Gardens - not Miami. The Detroit Lions played in Pontiac, the Pistons in Auburn Hills.

Lots of teams named for cities actually play in their suburbs.

 

[cytor]

Lots of arenas in DFW. Dickies arena is pretty new if memory serves...

 

[besserheimerphat]

In before "but what are they going to do when there aren't games???"

 

[1SEIACLONE]

If both move, none of the professional teams will actually play in Dallas proper. The northern burbs of Dallas are growing like heck, the current arena is on the northern part of downtown, we were there once for a Mavs game, was a nice arena but nothing great.

 

[Texbudman]

Lots of arenas in DFW. Dickies arena is pretty new if memory serves...

Dickies is fantastic for concerts. Holds around 14,000 with great sound. Although the owner of Dickies brand no longer wants to hold naming rights so a name change will be coming.

 

[madguy30]

So will the Stars have to change to the Plano Stars? I mean, they won't be "in" Dallas. Can't call them Dallas. Right?

AT&T Stadium is in Arlington so it will likely still stick.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

AT&T Stadium is in Arlington so it will likely still stick.

The new Rangers stadium is also in the same parking lot area, along with the old baseball stadium and the old 6 flags amusement park. It's a very nice complex, plenty of space between the Rangers new stadium and Jerry's World. Plenty of parking, but just a major pain to get out to from Dallas, the traffic going west, leaving Dallas is a nightmare at rush time to get to a baseball game. Lots of road construction on that 4 lane interstate.