Almost four years since Cowboys Stadium opened, Arlington leaders "continue to make it clear" that they want the city to be home to the team’s HQs and practice facilities, according to Susan Schrock of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. Though the Cowboys "refuse to comment on speculation about whether the team is considering leaving Valley Ranch in Irving after nearly 28 years, recent media reports indicate Arlington and Frisco are both interested in being the football franchise’s new home." Frisco officials would not comment. Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck confirmed that city officials "have reached out to the team this year to find out what it might take to get the team to move its offices and practice facility closer to the stadium." Cluck said, "We have had a little bit of conversation with them but nothing extensive at this stage." Cowboys officials said that the 110,000-square-foot Valley Ranch HQs sit on "about 30 acres." Meanwhile, Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne said, "I can say the city of Irving has had a long and valued relationship with the franchise and we would like to see it continue. To that end, we are having ongoing discussions with them to make sure that happens." Schrock noted Cowboys Stadium has been "so successful since it opened in 2009 that city and civic leaders now see the need for hotel and retail developments to support it, or continue to lose visitor dollars to Fort Worth and Dallas." Obtaining land close to the stadium "shouldn't be too difficult." While Cluck said that he is "content that Arlington secured the stadium, being home to the practice facility would help draw more visitors and media attention to the city’s entertainment district" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 5/19).
