Dallas Wings Eye American Airlines Center Move Amid Practice Facility Issues

DALLAS – The Dallas Wings may be relocating their home games to the American Airlines Center (AAC) as negotiations stall over a new practice facility, according to a proposal being considered by the Dallas City Council. The potential move comes as the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks explore options to exit the AAC for a new arena.

The proposal, issued in a memo to the City Council’s Committee on Professional Sport Recruitment and Retention, suggests the Wings move into the AAC although the future of the arena and its tenants remains uncertain. This shift follows complications with the planned construction of a dedicated practice facility for the Wings.

Last week, city officials began to reassess a deal to fund a $55 million+ practice facility for the team due to cost overruns and delays. The projected cost of the facility has now risen to approximately $81 million, an increase of $27 million. The city stated that “Project delivery has lagged on the practice facility.”

According to the proposal, the Dallas Wings have agreed to cover the additional $27 million and any further cost overruns to ensure the practice facility meets their specifications and to act as the developer for the project.

Dallas City Council member Chad West acknowledged shared responsibility for the delays, citing issues with both the city’s processes and the contractor, McKissick. He also noted that changes to the facility’s requirements by the Wings contributed to the setbacks. WFAA reported on West’s comments during an appearance on WFAA’s Inside Texas Politics.

West issued a memo on February 25th proposing the move to the American Airlines Center.

The impact of this potential move on the city’s plans to support the construction of the new practice facility remains unclear.