The Dallas Mavericks franchise filed notice Thursday that it was immediately dropping its tortious interference claim in its battle against the Dallas Stars just days after the basketball club notched an early win in the case proceeding in the Texas Business Court.
The case appears to be nearing its conclusion.
“Following our successful motions for summary judgment, the Dallas Mavericks organization is taking this step as an important and proactive demonstration of good faith,” Mavericks counsel Jackson Walker partner Chris Bankler wrote in an email. “We have a strong and sincere desire to move past this issue and focus on what matters most — investing in the long-term success of professional sports in Dallas. That remains our priority.”
Last week, Texas Business Court Judge Bill Whitehill trimmed the claims in the case by granting summary judgment for the Mavericks, finding that when the Stars moved its headquarters, the franchise failed to comply with the “location commitment” in the agreement between the professional sports teams that required the teams to be headquartered in Dallas. The Stars moved its headquarters to Frisco, north of Dallas, in 2003.
The opinion left the tortious interference claim for jury trial.
“Nonetheless, these rulings do not dispose of the entire case because they do not address the Mavericks’ tortious interference claim, which is set for trial on May 11, 2026, and other issues,” Judge Whitehill wrote in his opinion.
In a footnote, Judge Whitehill wrote that the court had requested supplemental briefing on the notice required of a relocation partner to redeem its interests. The court did not decide that issue in the opinion.
Late last year, the Mavericks sued the Stars seeking to enforce the terms of partnership contracts the teams signed nearly 25 years ago. The Mavericks claim the Stars breached their American Airlines Center lease by relocating its primary headquarters outside Dallas city limits.
The franchises’ leases at the American Airlines Center expire in 2031, and both teams are looking to play in new locations. The Mavericks are looking at the current site of Dallas City Hall, whereas the Stars are looking at The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano.
Joshua Sandler, Frank Carroll, Cory C. Johnson, John David Janicek and Andrew J. Patterson of Winstead are also representing the Stars. They didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Chip Babcock and Sarah Starr of Jackson Walker are also representing the Mavericks.
The case is Dallas Sports Group, LLC and Radical Arena LTD v. DSE Hockey Club L.P., 25-BC01B-0049.