Behind the Banner May 2024

May

BEHIND THE BANNER

The House of

Hardwood

and Ice

The American Airlines Center

By: David Lee Image credits: Jefferey McWhorter

The Mavericks and Stars made Dallas history, earning respective trips to the NBA and NHL Western Conference Finals in the same season. And they did it within 24 hours of each other.

Mavs and four for the Stars—all right smack in heart of downtown Dallas in the American Airlines Center.

The schedules for each were set from May 22 through June 1. That’s 14 consecutive days if all seven games were needed, with the teams alternating games each day. That included three possible home games for the

It’s the first time in more than 20 years that NBA and NHL franchises advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the same year while sharing the same arena. It’s a continuation of what has been thrilling seasons and playoff runs for both teams who call the AAC home.

The building has been the epicenter of a lot of energy, cheering and winning. And now, the a ention of the sports world is fixed on Dallas. Managing parallel schedules as the championship runs extend and the stakes deepen is no simple task for the folks making it all happen behind the scenes.

Continuously alternating from court to ice for months, all while managing and booking many other events from concerts to comedy shows to the circus, is already an exercise of forward-thinking logistical acrobatics. But doing it during the postseason, when it’s not even known how long it will last, takes all the planning and executing to another level.

James Taylor, the Senior Event Manager for the AAC, says deeper postseason runs means increased national and international a ention, larger contingent of media, and an overall bigger buzz of activity in the Victory Park area in downtown Dallas. That’s no easy task. Before the conference finals series even started, his team was already looking

ahead for possible simultaneous NBA and NHL Finals series, or just one. All plans demand multiple contingencies for several possibilities.

Accommodating additional national and international media means removing some 300-level seating and pu ing in tables, chairs, power outlets, and Internet ports.

“We have to get a li le creative on our spaces. When we were built 23 years ago, media looked completely different than it does now,” James says. “A fun challenge for this big venue is creating these media work rooms, get them the number they need, while also still giving the teams the space that they require for a normal game day.”

Juggling third-party events like concerts requires contingency dates when the Mavs and Stars are running simultaneous postseason schedules. Some concerts have already been rescheduled to the summer.

“Luckily, we have such a winning culture between both teams—both have won championships, both are always expected to

make deep runs in the playoffs. So, we always have that in the back of our minds while we’re planning our spring concert season,” James adds.

When games for the Mavs and Stars run counter to each other, it gives one team a li le more time on the ice or court. It also opens the opportunity to for more game presentation and unique, fun atmospheres for fans. This is the first year for NBA city edition courts, and the Mavs rolled out the special design in Rounds 1 and 2. “We constantly hear from other teams as well for their in-game presentation. We try to support them as much as we can to give them the opportunity to showcase their teams’ talents,” James says.

The fan crossover support through the postseason is strong. James says many fans are double team season ticket holders. James says that while the teams make their parallel playoff runs, the employees and players of both watch and cheer each other on. “When the Stars are in town and the Mavs are away, you have employees checking for the Mavs score, as well as camaraderie between the two teams in the building,” he says. “It's just one of the best feelings that we have going on here. Everybody wants everybody to do great. Everybody knows what we’re going to be up against. If we make the next round on both teams, but you never want to see the other one not make it when it can be such a magical run for both teams.

There’s no doubt that the AAC has been a major catalyst in revitalizing downtown Dallas for nearly 25 years, constantly a racting thousands of fans, families, and citizens enjoying the Victory Park area. Today, it has more than 4,000 residential units, the W Hotel, and growing retail spaces.

Click here to view the AAC’s full event calendar

“It’s a racting fans down here earlier in the day, so you’re able to help businesses grow as well,” James says of the impact the AAC makes. “We just have an extremely diverse fan base that’s wanting to come to downtown Dallas and make it a day especially when you have Saturday games. These families come in in the morning they go to the arboretum, the aquarium, the Perot Museum, and then they come over to us to spend the evening. These teams have been in downtown Dallas for decades, and they’re not moving. They want to stay in downtown, so they take pride in it and you see it in the Mavs city edition jerseys and courts that make Dallas special.”

The summer of volleyball In dallas- Ft.worth

By: B.J Hoeptner-Evans

If you have been paying a ention, you know that the sport of volleyball is more popular than ever.

In the 2022-23 season, membership in USA Volleyball, the sport’s National Governing Body, increased by 9.6% to 408,000 (the largest percentage growth since 1998). The growth occurred at all levels, genders and age groups. Junior women’s membership grew by 9.2%, junior men’s increased 9.7% and the number of adult members ended the membership season up 11.6%.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), volleyball is the No. 1 team sport among high school girls and boys high school volleyball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country.

Last August, a crowd of 92,003 packed Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, to watch the Cornhuskers women’s volleyball team play Omaha, which set a U.S. record for the largest crowd to watch a women’s sporting event.

In December of 2023, a crowd of 19,727 filled Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, and watched the University of Texas sweep Nebraska to win its second straight NCAA National Championship while thousands more watched on ABC and ESPN.

Dallas will get in on the action when it hosts two major USA Volleyball events at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas (KBHCCD). The USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship for the 11-13 age groups will be June 21-24. That will be followed by the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championship on June 26-29.

Image credits: Texas Star

Both events are expected to draw hundreds of junior club volleyball teams to downtown Dallas. “Dallas proves time and time again that we are an ideal market for youth volleyball,” said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. And while fun is the focus, these events also draw college coaches hoping to find their stars of tomorrow.

“We are excited to be bringing these national championships to Dallas,” said USA Volleyball President and CEO Jamie Davis. “Dallas is a vibrant and multicultural city with a wide variety of restaurants and a ractions. The city is always happy to host our athletes and their families and fans.”

USA Volleyball junior national championship events have been steppingstones for some of the United States’ top athletes. Among those who have competed in these events are Olympic gold medalists Micha Hancock, Chiaka Ogbogu and Justine Wong-Orantes and Olympic bronze medalists Ma Anderson, Micah Christenson, Max Holt and Erik Shoji.

This is not the first summer that Dallas has hosted USA Volleyball events. It has previously hosted both the boys and girls national championships along with the USA Volleyball Open National Championship for adults, which it recently held in 2023.

In 2016, Dallas hosted the Boys Junior National Championship alongside the international World League competition for men’s volleyball national teams. Prior to winning the Olympic bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the U.S. Men’s National Team went 3-0 in matches against Bulgaria, Australia and Russia.

North Texas’ Summer of Volleyball kicked off on May 24 when the North American Gay Volleyball Association (NAGVA) hosted their 2024 XL National Championships at the KBHCCD.

Recently, The University of Texas at Arlington continued the momentum May 28 hosting the women’s Volleyball Nations League for teams from the United States, Bulgaria, Canada, Germany, Poland, South Korea and Türkiye. The U.S. Women’s coaches used the competition to help choose the athletes who would go on the compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Three players with Texas roots competed in the VNL: Ogbogu, who grew up in Coppell, interned with the Dallas Sports Commission, and played for the University of Texas; Asjia O’Neal, who grew up in Southlake and later won two NCAA National Championships with the University of Texas; and Avery Skinner, who grew up in Katy and later played at Baylor.

The volleyball fun in Texas won’t end with the USAV national championship events. Besides club, high school and college volleyball, professional volleyball will come to Texas in the fall of 2024 when League One Volleyball (LOVB) launches with teams in Austin and Houston. Followed by the launch of Dallas’s Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) Franchise in early 2025.

the pros at home in June

FLASHBACK FEATURE 2018 Copa America

Coming to north texas

Experience the thrill of CONMEBOL Copa América USA 2024™ at AT&T Stadium! Catch Chile vs. Peru on June 21, USA vs. Bolivia on June 23, and a gripping quarter-final on July 5. Don't miss out—get your tickets now!

SECURE YOUR SEATS

Take a look back at the first 10 years of the Dallas Sports Commission.

Upcoming Events

Premier SuperCopa Week

6/13 - 6/16

MoneyGram Soccer Park

USA Volleyball Girls

Junior Nationals

6/21 - 6/24

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

CONMEBOL Copa America

Peru vs Chile

6/21

AT&T Stadium

CONMEBOL Copa America

USA vs Bolivia

6/23

AT&T Stadium

Under Armour/Jordan

Spieth Championship 2024

6/24 - 6/27

Brookhaven Country Club

USA Volleyball Boys Junior

National Championships

6/26 - 6/29

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

LISTEN HERE CATCH UP ON MIC DROP DALLAS, THE OFFICIAL PODCAST OF THE DALLAS SPORTS COMMISSION.

Get Tickets now at the biggest e-sport festival in the world

Gaming Fans we have a deal for you! Use code "DSC15" for 15% off any non-premium badges this weekend at DreamHack Dallas.

ChAMpIoNs COMmUNITY

Making an impact DreamHack dallas

By Ben Harbuck

As one of the largest and most prestigious gaming festivals in the World, DreamHack offers a unique blend of competitive gaming, live entertainment, and community engagement. The event has become a hub for gamers, content creators, and industry professionals to come together and celebrate their shared passion for all things digital.

At the heart of DreamHack lies a commitment to fostering an inclusive community. The festival’s organizers strive to continuously create an environment that serves to the diverse interests and needs of

gamers from all walks of life, ensuring that everyone who steps through the doors feels welcomed, empowered, and inspired. Over the past five years the festival has been hosted in Dallas, and DreamHack along with organizers ESL FACEIT Group have consistently demonstrated their ability to foster a tight-knit community that transcends the boundaries of the virtual world.

One of the main ways DreamHack connects with Dallas and supports this community is by providing a platform for students and game

developers to engage with the event. This year, DreamHack has expanded its collaboration with over 240 DFW schools to create meaningful and impactful experiences.

“DreamHack festivals are designed to inspire local gaming communities, and we do that in many ways, including collaborating with local schools and universities. Not only is gaming playing an increasingly large role in shaping entertainment, but it’s unlocking new career opportunities in game development, event management, esports, and more. We want students to help students see firsthand how they can play a role in shaping this rapidly growing industry as professionals.” -

Guy Blomberg, Senior Director DreamHack Festivals - Americas, ESL FACEIT Group

One initiative that students can participate in at DreamHack Dallas can be found in the Panels & Workshops area. Here, almost 200,000 students from nearby schools and universities are invited to participate in a variety of educational forums and hands-on workshops. These sessions cover a wide range of topics, from the fundamentals of game development and design to the intricacies of esports broadcasting and content creation. By engaging directly with industry experts and professionals, students can gain valuable insights and practical knowledge to help them pursue their own aspirations in the gaming and esports fields.

In addition, DreamHack Dallas 2024 also features the Indie Playground, a dedicated space where local independent game developers can showcase their creations and connect with potential players and industry partners. This platform not only provides a unique opportunity for these developers to gain exposure and recognition but also serves as an inspirational resource for young aspiring game creators who a end the event.

“As the game industry shi s to virtual showcases, game developers lack opportunities to share their work with potential players in person. We want DreamHack to help players see the range of talented developers – some of which could be the next big video game – while also highlighting smaller studios, giving them the opportunity to reach people they otherwise might not. From students working on their first titles to seasoned veterans, DreamHack is enabling local game developers to build and strengthen their communities, network with peers, and share their passion for gaming with others.” - Lyndsay Postell, Product Manager - Community & Associations, ESL FACEIT Group

DreamHack & ESL FACEIT Group have proven to leave a profound impact on the Dallas community, serving as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and educational empowerment. The event's presence in DFW has not only a racted tens of thousands from around the world but has also generated significant revenue for the region, supporting local businesses and driving investment in the local gaming and esports ecosystem.

Beyond this and perhaps most importantly, DreamHack Dallas has had a substantial impact on local students and future tech leaders. Through its partnerships with local schools the event has given countless young people a be er idea of how they can explore new and exciting career opportunities in the e-sports industry. While also, giving up and coming game developers a platform to showcase their videogames and hard work to gaming fans from all around the world.