Full Breakdown
Dallas Stars Pursue New Arena in Plano Amid Legal Dispute Over Downtown Venue
6/3/2026, 5:01:50 AM
Proposed Plano Arena and Mixed-Use Development
The Dallas Stars announced a signed, non-binding letter of intent to build a new arena and entertainment district at The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano. The mixed-use project, advanced with developers Levin Holdings & Cawley Partners and Centennial, would anchor a roughly 20,000-seat arena within a 107-acre site slated for demolition and redevelopment as “The Bend.” Estimated construction costs are about $1 billion, with the City of Plano earmarking up to $700 million from Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) revenues and other sources. The plan also calls for retail, dining, residential units (approximately 1,000 apartments) and public gathering spaces.
Background: Shared Downtown Home and Ongoing Lawsuit
Since 2001 the Stars and the Dallas Mavericks have co-tenanted the American Airlines Center (AAC) in downtown Dallas. A 2024 lawsuit filed by the Mavericks alleged the Stars blocked arena upgrades and violated a joint-lease clause after moving their headquarters to Frisco. A Texas judge recently granted the Mavericks control of the AAC, a decision the Stars have appealed. Both teams’ leases at the AAC run through 2031, prompting parallel searches for new venues.
Key Stakeholders
- Tom Gaglardi – Owner, governor and chairman, Dallas Stars
- John Muns – Mayor, City of Plano
- Chad West – Dallas City Councilmember
- Adam Bazaldua – Dallas City Councilmember
- Kim Tolbert – City manager, Dallas
- Levin Holdings & Cawley Partners, Centennial – Development partners
- Dallas Mavericks – Co-tenant of AAC, pursuing a separate arena at the former Valley View Mall site
Timeline of Recent Actions
- Feb 2024 – Plano formally pitches Stars on a relocation.
- June 4 2026 – Stars release LOI for the Willow Bend project.
- June 8 2026 – Plano City Council scheduled to vote on the LOI and TIRZ plan.
- May 2026 – Court ruling favors Mavericks in AAC dispute (referred to as “last month” in reports).
- 2031 – Expiration of both teams’ AAC leases.
- 2028-2029 – Projected start of arena construction, aiming for the 2031-32 season.
Financial and Physical Parameters
- Arena cost: ~$1 billion
- City contribution: up to $700 million via TIRZ
- Site size: reported as 75 acres, 90 acres, and 107 acres across sources
- Capacity: ~20,000 seats
- TIRZ coverage: 900+ acres for broader redevelopment
Why It Matters
The relocation would shift a major professional sports franchise from Dallas’s downtown core to a suburban hub, potentially redefining the region’s entertainment geography. It also raises questions about the future of the AAC, municipal financing of large-scale venues, and the broader trend of corporate migration to Plano.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Stars’ leadership framed the LOI as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for the franchise and expressed eagerness for the council vote.
- Plano’s mayor highlighted the city’s reputation for welcoming “world-class partners” and called the Stars “an iconic North Texas organization.”
- Dallas councilmember Chad West urged the city to prepare a strategy that would keep the Stars in Dallas.
- Dallas city manager Kim Tolbert said the city will continue collaborative discussions to retain the team within city limits.
Criticism & Opposition
Councilmember Adam Bazaldua described the move as “disappointing” but not a setback, noting that the Stars likely left because they could not sustain the AAC alone. He warned that Dallas taxpayers have long supported the franchise and questioned the fiscal impact of losing a major tenant.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact acreage of the Willow Bend site (75 acres vs. 90 acres vs. 107 acres) and on the precise amount of municipal funding ($700 million versus broader TIRZ allocations). The demolition schedule is cited as “fall” without a specific year, leaving the construction timeline uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This project would present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our franchise,” — Tom Gaglardi, Owner, Governor and Chairman, Dallas Stars
- “Plano has built a reputation as a city that welcomes world-class partners and community-focused investment,” — John Muns, Mayor, Plano
- “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.” — Kim Tolbert, City Manager, Dallas
What’s Next
The Plano City Council will vote on the LOI on June 8. The Stars must secure financing and finalize development agreements before breaking ground, projected for 2028-29. Simultaneously, the Mavericks will advance their own arena plan at the former Valley View Mall site, while both teams’ appeals in the AAC lawsuit continue. The outcomes will shape the sports and entertainment landscape of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex for the next decade.
