Funding for Dallas Stars new arena

Funding for Dallas Stars new arena

June 10, 2026

Plano approves funding plan for potential Dallas Stars arena
The Plano City Council has approved a letter of intent to contribute $700 million in public funding toward a potential $1 billion sports and entertainment district at The Shops of Willow Bend. This agreement brings the NHL's Dallas Stars closer to building a new arena in the suburb, with plans to officially relocate from downtown Dallas once their current lease at the American Airlines Center expires in 2031. The decision aligns with a broader trend of Dallas-area sports franchises moving to the suburbs, following a similar preliminary arena agreement by the NBA's Dallas Mavericks just days prior.
^ESPN

Utah and Under Armour to end apparel partnership after current contract expires
The University of Utah and Under Armour have agreed to end their 18-year apparel partnership following the conclusion of the 2026–27 athletic season. Originally teaming up with the football program in 2008 before expanding department-wide in 2011, the collaboration spanned nearly two decades of significant growth, including the Utes' transitions through the Mountain West, Pac-12, and Big 12 conferences. Starting with the 2027 football season, Utah athletics will feature a new uniform logo, marking the end of a historic tenure that both organizations publicly celebrated and thanked each other for.
^Deseret

AUSL Opens 2026 Season with Growing Roster of National Partners, New Investors, and Expanded Business Momentum
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) has officially launched its 2026 season, expanding from four to six teams and transitioning into permanent home markets for the first time. Building on the commercial success of its breakthrough 2025 campaign, the league has secured a growing roster of multi-year corporate partners, including prominent brands like adidas and Sephora. Additionally, the AUSL has strengthened its long-term financial foundation through major media distribution deals with networks like ESPN and CBS Sports, alongside strategic new investments from Major League Baseball, the Milwaukee Brewers, and Ryan Sanders Baseball.
^{The AUSL}

LeBron James graces cover of TIME's first-ever list of the top-100 most influential figures in sports
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been selected to grace the cover of TIME's first-ever list of the top-100 most influential figures in sports, where he was dubbed the "Athlete of the Century." The publication divided the prestigious list into four distinct categories—Icons, Titans, Innovators, and Leaders—featuring global sports stars such as Caitlin Clark, Victor Wembanyama, Jalen Brunson, and Nelly Korda. This milestone highlights the growing intersection of sports and cultural influence, building upon TIME's expanding coverage of athletes which includes naming the USWNT as the inaugural Athlete of the Year in 2019 and honoring James with the same title in 2020.
^AOL

Another billionaire interested in MLB in Raleigh
Billionaire investor and Avenue Capital Group co-founder Marc Lasry has expressed strong interest in bringing a Major League Baseball expansion team to Raleigh, marking a major boost for the region's professional sports ambitions. Lasry, who recently invested in the NWSL's North Carolina Courage, stated that he prefer a majority or controlling ownership stake but is entirely open to partnering with Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, who has been spearheaded his own MLB-to-Raleigh campaign. This emerging collaboration could prove pivotal for the Triangle's bid, as local leaders emphasize that the city must finalize a concrete stadium location and financial plan by next year to remain competitive against other major expansion candidates.  
^AXIOS

Ian Wright after referee denied U.S. entry: 'World Cup of chaos'
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was dropped from officiating at the 2026 World Cup after being subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview and ultimately denied entry into the United States over "vetted concerns" despite holding the correct visa and paperwork. This decision sparked heavy criticism from football pundits and former players, including Ian Wright, who slammed the situation on Instagram as part of a "World Cup of chaos." The incident has put intense scrutiny on FIFA, host-nation border restrictions, and tournament organization on the eve of the historic multi-nation competition.  
^ESPN

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Oklahoma extending Learfield deal, opening NIL center
The University of Oklahoma and Learfield have announced a five-year extension of their multimedia rights partnership, stretching their long-standing relationship through 2037. A central feature of the new agreement is the creation of the Sooner Evolution Center, an on-campus facility dedicated to helping OU student-athletes develop their personal brands and capitalize on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Additionally, Learfield will serve as a key business and selling partner for Oklahoma-specific events at the university's new basketball arena while collaborating more closely with the school on branded content.
^{Sports Business Journal}

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