From Dallas to Plano: The Pros and Cons of the Upcoming Dallas Stars Move
This past Monday, August 10th, the Dallas Stars took to social media with generated images showing their future home in Plano. It’ll be a 20-minute drive from the American Airlines Center.
While the move to their new arena is still a few years off, all preparations are underway.
While the path to relocate 20 miles north of downtown Dallas is currently murky, it’s going to happen come 2031.
It comes down to either tax usage in the area or possibly the parties involved resorting to private means to fund the upcoming arena.
One way or another, the target opening for the Stars to be playing in Plano will be in the fall of 2031.
Mall Demolition
Plano is giving way to its mall district as it tears it all down. In January 2027, demolition of the current complex will begin. Making way for the Stars to start playing there come summer training camp of the 2031/2032 season.
The Stars already showed what the upcoming arena is expected to look like when it’s finished in about five years. Fans quickly pointed out that the logo looked a bit off. But it was put out to give everyone an idea of what it’ll look like. Also, AI can make mistakes, and it even says that before you use it.
Pros and Cons
A move like this will create division in the public, as any big decision and big change does. Over time, people will settle into the change after the start of the 2031-32 Stars season. You will also have those talking about the ‘good old days’ of when the Stars played in the city where their team is technically located. Now they’re like the Dallas Cowboys (Irving) and the Texas Rangers (Arlington). Dallas pro teams playing in the suburbs of Big D.
The Stars franchise can point to growth in fandom north of Dallas. There’s been an uptick in the Plano area for not only ice rinks, but players and families of players who play the game.
Loyal fans in Dallas are going to feel the sting of seeing the Stars moving out of downtown Dallas. While it’s not a relocation to another state, a lot of memories were formed with the Stars playing at the AAC (kind of like the old Reunion Arena). Plus, it’s going to be harder for fans in Dallas-Fort Worth to buy season tickets and go to more games since, unlike the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL, the Stars play multiple games a week, not just one. Oftentimes, the Stars play at home more than once a week.
There also likely won’t be public transit in Plano like there is in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Either way, traffic in Dallas-Fort Worth, or Plano/Collin County, is always tough to navigate. It is what it is, and has always been that way. Even if it takes longer currently for fans north of Dallas, and in the future fans in Dallas, to get to the game the road congestion tacks on at least 20 minutes of waiting in a traffic jam.
A couple of things could be much better at the upcoming Plano rink, such as the ice. American Airlines Arena isn’t known for having the best ice in the NHL, and Plano should do better. The new rink should be a better experience for fans all around. From the view, no matter where you sit, to the facilities, and even things like game cups at the concession stand. Everything about the arena and fan experience will be improved.
Money Talks
Stars owner Tom Gaglardi made the best move he could make for the Stars, especially since there was no shot they were staying at the AAC with the problems they were having with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks (both clubs have since settled their differences, despite both exiting the AAC), and their newer ownership.
The city of Plano is willing to foot $700 million of the $1 billion in expenses for the Stars’ home in five years.
As the salary cap keeps rising each year, players are demanding more and more money on contracts that can last up to seven years. It being a business, Gaglardi and his front office will be better off having more money in their franchise’s name.
This will better strengthen the team’s chances of being competitive and, hopefully, winning the Stanley Cup in two years.
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Categorized:Stars