Introduction to the Dispute
A trial date has been set in the ongoing legal battle between the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks over a contract breach and the future of American Airlines Center.
The Stars and Mavericks are scheduled for a jury trial on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Texas Business Court, according to legal filings. The two sides will also meet for a scheduling conference hearing on Friday, Nov. 21, at 2:30 p.m. The case has been assigned to Judge Bill Whitehill, who is working out of the mock trial courtroom at SMU’s Dedman School of Law.
The Lawsuit and Counterclaim
The Mavericks filed suit against their American Airlines Center co-tenant on Oct. 28, seeking legal finality on an alleged breach of contract dispute. The Stars filed a counterclaim hours later, seeking to restore normal operations at the arena.
The sides most recently met Monday when the Mavericks withdrew their demand for a temporary injunction that would have revoked the Stars’ joint control of American Airlines Center.
Background on the Dispute
The Mavericks told The Dallas Morning News in a statement that the decision followed an agreement by both teams to fund American Airlines Center employee bonuses.
“Those employee bonuses will now be funded — directly by the Mavericks ownership group,” the Mavericks’ statement said. “As such, the Mavericks withdrew an injunction request it had previously sought. Importantly, the Mavericks reserved their legal rights to continue to seek an injunction if the Stars’ misconduct warranted that.”
Both the Stars and Mavericks affirmed the case related to the Stars’ alleged contract breach remains unaffected and that the sides still intend to go to trial or reach a settlement to resolve their differences.
The Alleged Contract Breach
The Mavericks alleged in a 253-page lawsuit that the Stars are “holding American Airlines Center hostage” and are in breach of a clause in their 1998 franchise agreement that requires their corporate headquarters to be located within the city of Dallas. The Stars’ headquarters and practice facility have been in Frisco since 2003.
The Mavericks sent the Stars a letter and $110 in cash last October alerting them of the breach and that the Mavericks would be taking over the Stars’ interest in Center Operating Company, the joint venture between the franchises that operates American Airlines Center.
Financial Implications
For the past year, the Stars have not had access to their quarterly arena proceeds. The Stars say the amount is “in the tens of millions.” The Mavericks pointed out to The News that their arena distributions are frozen, as well.
Hours after the Mavericks’ filing, the Stars filed a counterclaim, alleging the Mavericks had no right to claim a breach of agreement — only the city could — and that the Mavericks cannot claim the Stars’ interest in Center Operating Company until a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the Stars breached certain obligations owed to the city.
Related News and Developments
Related
The Mavericks first raised awareness of the agreement breach over a year ago, a few weeks before the team and the city of Dallas say the Stars backed out of a $300 million deal to renovate AAC, according to interviews and documents obtained by The News.
In the deal, according to the city and the Mavericks, the Stars agreed to remain in AAC through 2061 and would have paid no renovation costs, with the city and Mavericks footing the bill 50-50.
Conclusion
The dispute between the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks is ongoing, with both teams seeking a resolution to their differences. The case is set to go to trial in January 2026, and the outcome will have significant implications for the future of American Airlines Center and the teams that call it home.
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Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the dispute between the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks about?
A: The dispute is about an alleged breach of contract by the Stars, who are accused of violating a clause in their 1998 franchise agreement that requires their corporate headquarters to be located within the city of Dallas.
Q: What are the financial implications of the dispute?
A: The Stars have not had access to their quarterly arena proceeds for the past year, which amounts to tens of millions of dollars. The Mavericks’ arena distributions are also frozen.
Q: What is the potential outcome of the trial?
A: The outcome of the trial will determine the future of American Airlines Center and the teams that call it home. The Stars may be required to relocate their headquarters to Dallas, or the Mavericks may take over the Stars’ interest in Center Operating Company.
Q: When is the trial scheduled to take place?
A: The trial is scheduled to take place on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Texas Business Court.
