Kudos to the Dallas Stars and Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price for kicking around the idea of holding a training camp in Fort Worth.
I am more impressed the team actually knows there is a market for this team outside of Frisco, Plano and Dallas. This is major progress that for years saw this team cater only to its established fan base.
The Stars, for years, have been frustrated at trying to reach out to Fort Worth and receiving little in return. When you are the Dallas Stars, however, there is little option but to keep trying.
The concept of holding a training camp to begin the 2013-'14 season is solid, and in hindsight maybe a bit overdue. The team can stay in one of the hotels in downtown Fort Worth, and walk over to the Fort Worth Convention Center to practice. There is ample seating for fans to watch, and plenty of opportunity for people to meet and interract with the players at the venue and throughout the city.
Perhaps the team could hold one preseason game in Fort Worth, but no more. I would doubt seriously the Stars would give up an opportunity to open the doors to the American Airlines Center, even for an exhibition game, any more than once.
And they shouldn't. As badly as this team needs to re-energize its fan base and find new people to be interested in the Dallas Stars, they can't take away any regular season home games away from its home rink.
The decision to hold training camp in Fort Worth does not appear imminent, but from the sounds of it the chances are good.
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A preseason practice and\or a preseason game at the FW Convention Center sounds spectacular and would definitely give them a better image in FW.
Posted by: Juan M | 02/13/2013 at 10:55 AM