Dallas sports fans have not had much cause for celebration in recent years, with their professional teams failing to bring home silverware.
You must go back 12 years to find the last time a Dallas team won a major title, with the Mavericks winning their only NBA championship in 2011.
With that in mind, we assess which team is most likely to end the drought in Dallas by getting their hands on a major league title.
Dallas Cowboys // National Football League
The Cowboys posted a 12-5 record in the NFC East last season, sparking hopes they could make a deep run in the NFL playoffs.
Their impressive 31-14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round cranked up expectations even further.
A 19-12 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round ended the Cowboys’ hopes of progressing to the Super Bowl.
Their last NFL championship success was in 1995, and squad improvements are required if they are to have a genuine chance of snapping the streak.
Dallas Mavericks // National Basketball Association
The Mavericks have played 40 seasons in the NBA, advancing to the playoffs on 22 occasions. However, they have been NBA champions just once.
They endured a miserable 2022/23 campaign, finishing 11th in the Western Conference to miss out on the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
While the Mavericks boast bona-fide basketball superstars in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, their roster has numerous issues which need rectifying.
The upcoming NBA Draft will be an opportunity to fix some of them, but it may take a few more years before the Mavericks become title contenders again.
Dallas Stars // National Hockey League
The Stars are unquestionably the best hope Dallas has of ending its long wait for a major league title, and 2024 could be the year it happens.
Their hopes of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals were dashed this season by the Vegas Golden Knights, but the defeat should not detract from a largely positive season.
The emergence of several young prospects bodes well for the Stars’ future, while their experienced core is among the best in the league.
If the Stars can secure a couple of upgrades in their defensive unit this summer, they could be a good bet to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1998/99.
Texas Rangers // Major League Baseball
The Rangers have a useful lead at the top of AL West, although a recent dip in form has threatened to derail their season.
They remain one of the best-hitting teams in the league, but an injury to Jacob deGrom has undoubtedly impacted their pitching consistency.
The pressure is on Dane Dunning to pick up the slack, and the Rangers will need him to stay healthy to have any chance of progressing in the playoffs.
While they should have little difficulty making it to the post-season, it is difficult to imagine the Rangers breaking their World Series duck this term.
FC Dallas // Major League Soccer
MLS franchise FC Dallas have been inconsistent this season, but they are still well-placed in the super-competitive Western Conference.
However, they were second best during their recent visit to Portland Timbers, and injuries to several key players are an unwelcome distraction.
FC Dallas reached the Conference semi-finals last season, and they should have enough about them to at least reach the same stage this time around.
However, they do not appeal as likely winners of the MLS title, and it would be a brave move to back them on online sportsbooks to achieve the feat.
Dallas Jackals // Major League Rugby
The Jackals are another team that bookmakers are happy to lay, having won just two games in 32 outings in Major League Rugby.
However, punters who backed them on rugby betting sites in their final game of the 2023 season were treated to a classic match-up against the Chicago Hounds.
The Jackals recovered from a 14-point deficit to lead 20-14 but were eventually denied their third win of the campaign by a 29-28 scoreline.
While the Jackals have improved a little this season, it would be a major surprise if they defied the odds to mount a title challenge next term.
Photo: r/Dallas
