Sports scene in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
There are several professional sports teams in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex. Their rich history has provided entertainment and inspiration to many generations of local residents. There are five major sports teams that cover the five major sports football, basketball, soccer, baseball and hockey. There are also many other well known sports teams as well to enjoy as a DFW resident or visitor.
The Dallas Mavericks
This well-known National Basketball Association (NBA) professional sports team has excelled in recent years. They won the championship in 2011 beating out the Miani heat for their first and only championship. They also have two Western Conference championship wins and four division titles. Their most well known player is the future hall of famer, Dirk Nowitski and they have one of the best known owners in Mark Cuban. Prior to the Mavericks being started as a new NBA franchise in 1981 the Dallas Chaparrals of the old American Basketball Association (ABA) were located in Dallas. They later moved to San Antonio and are today known as the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavericks play in the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas.
The Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are often known as America’s team and was founded in the 1960s in Dallas. They gained wide popularity through out the United States with their five Super Bowl titles in the 70s and 90s. They are part of the National Football League (NFL) and play in the National Football Conference (NFC) East division. The Cowboys play in AT&T Stadium which was built for over 1 Billion dollars in 2009. The stadium is known for its Video Board which is 2100 inches and towers high above the field. The Cowboys are considered the second most valuable franchise in sports right behind the New York Yankees baseball organization. The Cowboys are known for honoring their greatest players in the “ring of honor” which encircles the stadium and lists the players names.
The Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers are a Major League Baseball team located in Arlington, Texas. They play at Globe Life Park. The name was taken from the State of Texas police force the Texas Rangers. The franchise was originally founded in Washington D.C. as the Washington Senators. The team was moved to the Dallas Fort-Worth area in 1971. The Rangers made it to the 2010 World Series against the San Francisco Giants and managed to win one game – the first ever for a Texas team. They also made it to the 2011 World Series against the Saint Louis Cardinals but also lost that year as well. Their most well know historical player is the pitching great, Nolan Ryan who retired as a ranger and later had a stint as the teams President and CEO and helped to lead the team out of bankruptcy.
FC Dallas
There’s a professional soccer team as well in Dallas FC Dallas (Football Club). They were one of the original 10 charter members of Major League Soccer (MLS). They play their games at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas is part of the Western Conference. Before becoming known as FC Dallas they were named the Dallas Burn. In 2011 they became the first MLS team to beat the Mexico team in the CONCACAF Championship League.