The Dallas Stars have signed the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as the team’s official medical provider.
The five-year deal marks the first time one entity will be managing the medical care of the Stars — a consolidation of services already in place at other NHL clubs. Until now, the Stars have employed a range of doctors from several North Texas hospitals, with UT Southwestern among the providers.
According to an industry source, the partnership calls for a cash investment by UT Southwestern of mid-six figures annually.
For UT Southwestern, the agreement is the medical center’s first such deal with a sports franchise, though many of its doctors have individual affiliations with teams throughout North Texas. Those deals are unaffected by the organizational partnership with the Stars.
With more than 3,000 employees, UT Southwestern is the flagship medical school of the University of Texas system. Its 231-acre campus is in Dallas.
The deal calls for UT Southwestern at each home game to provide to the Stars and their opponents a primary care sports medicine physician, orthopaedic sports surgeon, emergency medicine specialist, dentist and plastic surgeon. UT Southwestern will receive dasherboard and LED signage, a website banner, and advertising via the team’s yearbook, game program and Stars Insider email.
In addition, the Stars’ Hockey Pulse microsite will feature wellness and sports medicine tips from UT Southwestern staff. The hospital will have its logo on the Stars’ practice jerseys and become the presenting sponsor of the Stars’ efforts for Hockey Fights Cancer, a leaguewide initiative.
The team believes the most important aspect of the deal is having all its doctors under one roof.
“We’ve been in Dallas for 20 years and have always provided exceptional medical care to our players and staff,” said Frank Provenzano, Stars assistant general manager. “UT Southwestern brings a depth of expertise under one system.”
