With Super Bowl XLI in the history books, here is an interview about a stadium that will be host to plenty of future ones. I spoke with Diane Brandon, Vice President of Communications and Research for the Arlington (TX) Convention and Visitors Bureau. I asked her about plans for the Dallas Cowboys' future home in Arlington.
SC: How will the new stadium change the face of Arlington?
Diane Brandon: We couldn't be more excited about the new Dallas Cowboys stadium relocating to Arlington. Since Arlington is halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, the location of our city will make attending games for those in the western areas of the Dallas-Fort Worth area easier. But much more importantly for the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, the stadium opens up new markets for us for tourism and for booking large events such as truck rallies, religious events, and even Olympic Trials and the Super Bowl.
According to ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys are one of the top three sports brands in the world and they have fans across the country and even in other countries like Mexico. Those fans travel to games and that helps our tourism business. And we're not even counting the money the team spends here for printing, food service, building, and contracting. Oh, then there is the endless advertising and marketing for the city through football radio and television broadcasts. Even I can't think of all the ways in which we'll benefit positively!
SC: What things about the Cowboys' new home will mark it as unique?
DB: The Dallas Cowboys are always top-notch in everything they do. The team has been a trendsetter since Tex Schramm was so influential in the NFL by starting the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and the Cowboys Ring of Honor, among many other innovations. This stadium is at one time paying homage to Texas Stadium in Irving with the world-famous "hole in the roof" where God can watch his favorite team, while at the same time rocketing forward into a new age of building technology and design. Here are a couple of gee-whiz facts about the new stadium:
- It will be the biggest enclosed stadium in the world.
- It will have the largest continuous arches in the world.
- The Statue of Liberty could stand up inside the stadium.
- The roof is retractable, which is a requirement of the NFL in order to host a Super Bowl (if the city in question could have cold weather during Super Bowl time).
The building is truly remarkable, and fans can see more of it at our website or DallasCowboys.com.
SC: Will the annual Cotton Bowl game ever move to this stadium?
DB: That's a question for the Dallas Cowboys. At the CVB, we would be most happy to help the team with any kind of proposals to bring that business from Dallas. Since Glorypark (a new entertainment, retail, residential, and restaurant development) will be here by then, linking Ameriquest Field and the new stadium together, there will be plenty of fun and food for fans to enjoy. For the time being, Dallas has the contract on the Cotton Bowl, but we'll be glad to take that event off their hands.
SC: Is the stadium in the vicinity of the Rangers' ballpark and Six Flags?
DB: Yes, it is. We call this area the Entertainment District in Arlington. Six Flags Over Texas, the Arlington Convention Center, Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Glorypark, and the Dallas Cowboys stadium will all be within walking distance of each other.
SC: Who will the architect be, and what is their sports facility track record?
DB: The HKS Sports and Entertainment Group, ranked as one of the top-five sport/stadium designers by BD World Architecture, has ushered in a new generation of multi-revenue-generating, world-class facilities. These venues are known for enhancing and leveraging team identity, delivering an exciting fan experience, and serving as destination environments. HKS, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, is among the top-five architectural/engineering firms in the United States, operating from 17 U.S. and worldwide offices.
SC: Thanks so much, Diane.
DB: You're welcome.
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