Arlington approves funding to upgrade AT&T stadium and keep Cowboys

Key Points:

• The Arlington City Council approved a $273 million plan to extend the Dallas Cowboys' lease at AT&T Stadium by 15 years, keeping the team in Arlington beyond 2040 and funding stadium upgrades through sales and venue taxes.
• Some residents expressed concerns about the lack of a public vote on the deal, arguing that taxpayers deserve a say in such significant financial decisions, while city officials cited previous voter-approved stadium deals and ongoing community input.
• The city has a history of voter-approved funding for sports venues, including a 2004 sales tax increase to attract the Cowboys and a 2016 vote supporting the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field construction.
• The Cowboys will invest at least $750 million in stadium upgrades, including infrastructure improvements, and benefit from reduced rent and naming rights fees, while also contributing $500,000 annually to youth programs.
• Local business leaders highlighted the economic benefits of retaining the Cowboys, emphasizing the positive impact on both large and small businesses in Arlington.