The Dallas Mavericks took the first step in a growing legal battle this month by filing a lawsuit against the Dallas Stars, accusing the NHL team of blocking planned upgrades at the American Airlines Center.
The Mavericks’ suit claims the Stars are “holding the American Airlines Center hostage” and violating agreements made decades ago to maintain both teams’ corporate headquarters in Dallas through 2031, according to The Dallas Morning News.
In their filing, the Mavericks contend that the Stars have violated a 1998 agreement between the two franchises, which requires both teams’ headquarters to be located within the City of Dallas.
Although the Stars play games in Dallas, the team’s headquarters and practice facility have both been located in Frisco since 2003.
Notably, the Stars have been exploring potential options to move the team even further out of the city, with the franchise currently considering arena locations in Plano, Frisco, The Colony, Arlington, and Fort Worth, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
The Mavericks have also alleged in the lawsuit that the Stars have caused issues with maintenance and renovations at the American Airlines Center, claiming the hockey franchise backed out of negotiating a roughly $300 million renovation plan, per DMN.
Mavericks ownership says they responded by seizing the Stars’ interest in the arena’s operating company and placing the Stars’ quarterly revenue distributions in escrow, arguing that the team’s continued resistance jeopardizes the venue’s long‑term viability.
Shortly after the Mavericks filed a lawsuit, the Stars responded with a countersuit.
Stars’ counsel Joshua M. Sandler stated that this new lawsuit is meant to “restore normal operations at the [American Airlines Center] and prevent the Mavericks’ attempted hostile takeover.”
“Their lawsuit seeks to marginalize the Dallas Stars to the role of a mere tenant and, ultimately, drive the team out of Dallas,” wrote Sandler, per DMN.
“The goal of the Stars’ lawsuit is to ensure that the AAC continues to serve as a world-class venue for all who call Dallas home. The Stars appreciate the support of its fans and will continue to advocate for what is best for our community and the AAC.”
The Stars’ suit asserts that only the City of Dallas can trigger a relocation clause under the lease, and that the Mavericks’ legal action amounts to an effort to push them out of the city.
Stars President Brad Alberts recently discussed the lawsuits and said that it is “really sad that a relationship has turned into this for no reason.”
“The Stars are not the Dallas Mavericks’ enemy. Never have been and never will be. We want to work together with them and run a really good sports and entertainment business at this arena. We want what’s best for them, if they want to build a new arena,” he added, per DMN.
“We’re not trying to take interests away from the Mavericks. We’re not trying to take position away from the Mavericks, and it’s just unfortunate. It’s the biggest disappointment in my career.”
Both the Stars and Mavericks are currently set to play in the AAC through 2031, but the most recent legal battle has raised even more questions about whether the two teams will share a location once their leases expire.
The Stars are not the only major company considering a departure from Dallas, as AT&T is rumored to be moving from the city to the suburbs, with the company providing little insight into its future plans.