Arlington Approves Amendments to Cowboys Stadium Lease Extension

Arlington's City Council voted 7-2 to approve changes to the proposed extension of the Dallas Cowboys' lease of AT&T Stadium. Council members Nikkie Hunter and Bowie Hogg voted against the amendments, as they did the original agreement.

The amendments were made after consultation with bond attorneys and the Texas Attorney General's Office, according to City Manager Trey Yelverton. He said the changes clarify that the city's contribution covers maintenance and operating costs, while the team funds improvements.

The deal is not final. The city must still meet all closing conditions and obtain Attorney General sign-off. The April approval would extend the lease to 2055 and allow the city to reimburse up to $273 million in stadium improvements using venue taxes approved by voters in 2004 and reapproved in 2016.

A lawsuit filed in June by Voters' Voice of Arlington argues that those taxes should go back to voters because the original bond was paid off early. The city has moved to dismiss the case as unripe. A non-jury trial is scheduled for May 31, 2027.

For developers and financiers, the case highlights how public financing tied to stadium assets can face legal challenges even after council approval. Pending closing conditions and litigation should be tracked before relying on the terms.