Dallas City Councilmember Maxie Johnson, who chairs the council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention, told reporters Friday that the city remains committed to keeping the Dallas Stars in the Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex beyond the current lease, which ends in 2031 at the American Airlines Center.
“The city manager, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, is doing a great job and keeping a lot of things close to her, which she should,” Johnson said. “We’re working very hard to make sure the Dallas Stars know that we want them, that we love them, and we’ll do everything we can to keep them here.”
Plano’s role and the failed financing vote
Mayor John Muns of Plano, a city that has been courting the Stars for a new arena, expressed disappointment after the city’s voters rejected Proposition A on Nov. 3. The measure would have provided public financing for a proposed arena in Plano.
“Obviously the venue tax failure affected the financial issues,” Muns said at a groundbreaking for the new AT&T headquarters. “We’re working really diligently to come up with some solutions that may work, and we’ll see what the Stars and the developer think. Hopefully we can find a way to continue the project.”
When asked whether the Stars might still locate in Plano, Muns admitted uncertainty, replying, “I don’t know.”
Stars’ stance and possible paths forward
The franchise reiterated its commitment to the project, citing potential benefits such as job creation, increased tourism, and long‑term economic growth for the Plano community.
In a statement released after the vote, the Stars said they remain “committed to advancing this important project that will create jobs, attract new visitors, and generate economic benefits for the Plano community for decades to come.” The team also noted that Plano’s pursuit of a project‑finance zone through the Texas Legislature could provide an alternative funding mechanism.
Local sentiment and next steps
Johnson interpreted the rejection of Proposition A as a clear signal from voters, saying, “By them saying no, that spoke volumes. I can tell you right now the citizens of Dallas will say yes.” She emphasized that Dallas officials will continue discussions with the Stars and developers to explore viable solutions, including possible extensions of the current lease at the AAC.
Both Dallas and Plano officials indicated that further negotiations will focus on financing options that do not rely on voter‑approved tax measures, while still delivering the promised economic and community benefits. The conversation is expected to continue through the coming months as the 2031 lease deadline approaches.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
