American Airlines Center is already the centerpiece of entertainment in Dallas, but this spring has been a challenge like never before for the iconic stadium.
"It's been pretty unprecedented for our end just to be able to juggle through having both teams make a long run with Mavericks still continuing to get into the (NBA) Finals," said David Ireland, VP of Event Programming and Marketing at the American Airlines Center.
"On top of that, we're trying to juggle more shows than we've ever had in May just through the volume of touring and the arena business. So it's been exciting and exhausting."
The American Airlines Center became only the fifth arena in the last 42 years to host conference finals in both the NHL and the NBA at the same time.
"The biggest challenge for us is to get the information, get the scheduling correct, get it out to the general public so they can make their plans, and also for us to get our staff set up to come to work," he explained.
Tonight, though, the bright lights of the NBA Finals will be shining down on the AAC during Game 3.
Hosting the NBA finals brings added attention and media scrutiny, which transforms the atmosphere at the American Airlines Center.
"There's a heightened level of attention to the building, which is fantastic for us. That's what we're here to do," Ireland said. "It's great for the city. It's great for the restaurants that are around us."
Managing the influx of media and ensuring smooth operations for league officials are tasks that require meticulous planning and flexibility.
"There is heightened media presence, and we have to work around trying to find spots for them within our venue," Ireland added. "Everybody's been really easy to work with, and we're getting through that."
Amid all these challenges, Ireland pointed out the significant updates made to the venue, such as a new video board and seating arrangements, which have enhanced the experience for patrons.
"People that have seen it and can remember what the old scoreboard looked like, coming in to see what we did this year, it's a game changer. It's one of the most advanced center hungs in the country," he remarked.
The AAC was built for this. Ireland's team was too. Tonight is a chance for him and his team to show off.
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