Do you love your favorite sports team enough to get married at one of their games?
Last Monday proved that the Dallas Mavericks — an NBA team that boasts a fanbase of approximately 4.23 million — have at least two superfans who certainly would.
Reid Malone and Ellyn Piatt, a young couple from Arkansas, got married during halftime at the Mavs’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 13.
Many fans thought they were there to see Kyrie Irving make his home debut with the Dallas Mavericks following a trade that got the NBA world buzzing. But as an added bonus, they were privy to a real wedding, officiated by Mark Followill, broadcaster and ordained minister, on the center-court line of the American Airlines Center.
As WFAA reported, the couple’s path to their nuptials actually began at that same stadium.
Malone, a Dallas native, proposed to Piatt at mid-court in December 2021.
“She said it would be awesome to get engaged in front of thousands of people and so it just made sense to do it here,” Malone said.
Although Malone had warned Piatt that the Mavs would become a huge part of her life while they were dating, he told WFAA that she just thought it was because his mother holds season tickets.
While Piatt might have eventually foreseen receiving a marriage proposal during a Mavs game, it is highly unlikely she could have imagined what happened next.
After the proposal, the Mavs reached out to the couple about having their wedding ceremony at a game. So that’s exactly what the superfans did.
According to the team, this was the first wedding to happen during one of their games since 2005.
Freelance cinematographer Merix Gooden was at the game. He told The Dallas Express that the first thing he heard was the Dallas Symphony Orchestra playing the processional. Then he saw the bride on the court in her dress.
“At first everyone was a bit confused but then we realized they were getting married! My initial thought was they really love the Mavs, but I’d do it too if the team offered,” Gooden said.
Many in the wedding party, such as Malone’s mother and groomsmen, wore Mavericks-inspired attire. The bride kept it classic with an elegant gown, a lace veil, and a sweeping train.
The Monday night game was televised, so all of their friends and family were able to see the special event. The couple exchanged rings and danced their first dance as a man and wife before tens of thousands of witnesses.
“This is like a different level, but it’s very cute and romantic. We got engaged at a Mavs game and we’re getting married at a Mavs game. It’s come full circle,” said Malone, WFAA reported.
Not only did they get married during a historic Mavericks game, but they got their honeymoon paid for as well. The couple was given $7,000 by Chime, a sponsor of the Dallas Mavericks.
If you missed the event, a recap can be found on the Dallas Mavericks Instagram account.