Mavericks score pretrial victories in American Airlines Center lawsuit vs. Stars

Dallas Mavericks lawyer Chip Babcock, standing, speaks as Dallas Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts, left, and Dallas Stars lawyer Josh Sandler, second from right, listen during a hearing concerning the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars lawsuit over control of American Airlines Center in the Texas Business Court at Karcher Hall on the SMU campus, Friday, March 6, 2026, in University Park. (Chitose Suzuki/Staff Photographer) In the first significant rulings of the Mavericks-Stars legal skirmish , the Mavericks on Thursday landed multiple body blows that seemingly staggered the Stars’ standing. Texas Business Court Judge Bill Whitehill issued 91 pages of opinion and order regarding the NBA and NHL teams’ combined seven summary judgment claims.

On most of the claims Whitehill ruled in the Mavericks’ favor. The case by no means appears over, however, with Stars attorney Joshua Sandler telling The Dallas Morning News he looks forward to the scheduled May 11 jury trial to settle what he called “numerous” issues that remain. On several key points, it would appear the Stars will enter the trial at a disadvantage, like a hockey team entering the second period with a multiple-goal deficit.

Among Whitehill’s rulings: The Mavericks did have a right to make a redemption claim of the Stars’ 50% interest in Center Operating Company, which controls American Airlines Center, citing a breach of the team’s 1998 franchise agreements that required them to maintain their principal headquarters in Dallas. Making that redemption claim, and paying the Stars $110 for their half of COC, did not require a board vote, Whitehill ruled. Whitehill denied the Stars’ claim that the case should be dismissed due to the two-plus decade gap between the 1998 franchise agreement and the 2024 breach.

The Stars in fact have never had their principal headquarters in Dallas, but Whitehill ruled the Mavericks were within their legal right to cite the breach regardless of the time gap. For now, it appears, the Mavericks can assert control of COC until and unless a jury trial decides otherwise. “We’re pleased with today’s decision and are ready to have this behind us so we can focus on what matters most, which is our deep commitment to the future in the city of Dallas and our fans,” the Mavericks said in a statement issued to The News .