NBA to Play 2010 All-Star Game at New Dallas Cowboys Stadium 31/10/2008 |
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The National Basketball Association will stage its 2010 All-Star Game at the stadium being built by the Dallas Cowboys, bringing the league's mid-season exhibition back to the area for the first time in 22 years.
The announcement was made by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, NBA Commissioner David Stern and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at a press conference before the Dallas Mavericks' season-opening game against Houston. The 59th All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 14, 2010.
``We appreciate the collaborative efforts of Mark Cuban and Jerry Jones on what will surely be one of the most memorable basketball events of all time,'' Stern said.
Cuban has resisted hosting an All-Star Game at the team's American Airlines Center because the NBA typically uses the event to entertain sponsors, which would force out many Mavericks season-ticket holders, ESPN said yesterday.
Using the Cowboys' new $1.1 billion stadium in Arlington would give Mavericks fans a chance to attend along with the league supporters.
``The partnership of the Mavs, NBA and the Dallas Cowboys will create an amazing weekend of fun and excitement with the pinnacle being the NBA All-Star Game in front of the largest crowd to ever see a basketball game,'' Cuban said.
The biggest All-Star Game crowd was at the Houston Astrodome in 1989, where 44,375 people watched the Western Conference post a 143-134 victory.
The Cowboys stadium, scheduled to open before the 2009 National Football League season, will accommodate 80,000 spectators with the possibility to expand to 100,000. For basketball, the seating could be near 50,000.
``North Texas will be a first-class host for this world- class event,'' Jones said.
The last NBA All-Star Game to be played in an arena used for football was in 1996, when San Antonio's Alamodome hosted the event.
Dallas last hosted an All-Star Game at Reunion Arena in 1986. This year's game is scheduled to be hosted by the Phoenix Suns in Arizona.
(Source: Bloomberg)
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