STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Growing
AGENDA DATE: June 11, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 1, 2
DEPARTMENT: Department of Convention and Event Services
EXECUTIVE: Robin Bentley
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to the Dallas Memorial Auditorium Resident Use and Incentive Agreement (CCT-2024-00024819 No. 24-0616) with Full Court Partners LLC, d/b/a/ Dallas Wings to include (1) an addition of the address for secondary facility at 1200 North Cockrell Hill Road; and (2) additional negotiation terms. - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
The City Council has designated the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (“KBHCCD”) Master Plan as an economic development initiative and as a strategic priority for downtown Dallas and the southern sector. As such, each component of the project, including the Dallas Memorial Auditorium (primary facility), is considered integral to the success of the overall KBHCCD Master Plan. In alignment with this strategy, the Department of Convention and Event Services (CES) began negotiations with a professional sports team in late calendar year 2022, coming to agreement in calendar year 2023.
Approved by the City Council in April 24, 2024 by resolution No. 24-0616, the agreement for the Dallas Memorial Auditorium includes a 15-year Resident Use and Incentive agreement, with three five-year renewal options with Full Court Partners LLC, d/b/a Dallas Wings to relocate to the primary facility and secondary facility, for a minimum of 70 days per year for the primary facility and 365-days per year for organizational needs including but not limited to office and training space at the secondary facility, with a $19,000,000.00 incentive payable over three calendar years. The primary facility will be booked by CES or its management company during all other days, unless otherwise agreed upon.
For the original agreement approved by the City Council, CES developed a term sheet agreed upon by Full Court Partners LLC, d/b/a Dallas Wings and discussed with the City Council in executive session during a special called Economic Development and Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention. The agreed upon term sheets includes revenue generating components including pouring rights, food and beverage, parking, base game fees, a ticket service fee and advertising. The term sheet also includes a relocation incentive payable over three fiscal years, and an agreement to work with the City to ensure any part-time game day jobs created by Team activities shall adhere to the city’s wage requirement, with a minimum of 40% of the part-time positions shall be filled by residents of the City of Dallas, (collectively, the “local hiring requirement”).
Supplemental Agreement No. 2 to the Dallas Memorial Auditorium Resident Use and Incentive Agreement (CCT-2024-00024819 No. 24-0616) with Full Court Partners LLC, doing business as Dallas Wings, will (1) add the address for the secondary facility located at 1200 North Cockrell Hill Road; and (2) include additional negotiation terms related to day-to-day maintenance, janitorial services, and security for the facility. The site will contain two to four soccer fields, with land prepared for additional development in the future. Public benefits will include clinics and an area where the community, including youth and children, can watch practices. Financing: No cost consideration to the City.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On February 28, 2024, the City Council authorized a professional services contract for Component Three of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Master Plan with McKissack and McKissack for Project Management/Owner’s Representation by Resolution No. 24-0388.
On March 26, 2024, the Special Called Meeting of the Economic Development Committee and Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention was briefed in closed session.
On April 24, 2024, the City Council authorized a fifteen-year resident use and incentive agreement for the Dallas Memorial Auditorium ("Arena" and "primary facility") and ancillary meeting rooms ("secondary facility") with three five-year renewal options with a professional sports team by Resolution 24-0616.
On January 8, 2025, the City Council authorized a contract with M. Arthur Gensler, Jr. & Associates, Inc. dba Gensler to provide architectural and engineering design services for the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas Master Plan renovation and reconstruction of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium (Arena) - Component Three (3) by Resolution No. 25-0141.
On May 12, 2025, the Special Called Meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Professional Sports Recruitment and Retention was briefed in executive session.
The City Council was briefed by memorandum regarding this matter on June 6, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to the City.
OWNER/EXECUTIVE
Full Court Partners LLC, d/b/a Dallas Wings
500 East Border Street, Suite 250
Arlington, Texas, 76010
Greg Bibb, President and Chief Executive Officer
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