As the NFL expands internationally, franchises across the league are doing the same thing domestically. Teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers have ongoing plans to renovate their respective stadiums, and now it appears as if the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, could be next, though taxpayers may have no say in the issue.
When Will the Arlington City Council Vote on Cowboys Stadium Funding?
Next Tuesday, the city council will bring the AT&T Stadium funding item to the table, with a $273 million upgrade on the line to keep the Cowboys in Arlington through 2055, according to local ABC Dallas broadcast station WFAA.com.
Under the team’s current agreement, they are set to remain in Arlington through 2038.
Originally called Cowboys Stadium, it was constructed from 2005 to 2009 for an approximate cost of $1.3 billion, making it one of the most expensive stadiums ever built at the time.
It would go on to become AT&T Stadium in 2013, with multiple rounds of minor renovations from then to 2026, including upgrades to the video board and premium seating reconfigurations.
These upgrades helped transform the venue into more than just a place to watch football, hosting concerts and basketball games, as well as boxing and soccer matches, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
WFAA later reported that in the proposal, the Cowboys would put up at least $750 million to improve the stadium, in addition to the $273 million contributed by the city.
Whether voters will be able to state their case on the issue is already settled.
If the Arlington City Council decides to put the funding deal forward, voters will not get to express how they feel in a poll.
Council members are allowed by law to approve the continuation of existing taxes to cover the $273 million without giving residents an opportunity to vote on the proposal.
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A variety of NFL teams, including but not limited to the Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans, have worked with local governments in the past to find ways to increase funding.
This has most prominently included state funding, hotel tax increases, and other tourism taxes, which could end up playing a factor in a future deal between Arlington and the Cowboys.
We likely won’t know the exact plan until months from now. In the meantime, Cowboys fans and media alike will stay tuned to see what comes from next Tuesday’s city council meeting.
