Fans ‘deceived’ over $1bn NFL stadium renovation that will take 20 years to pay off

AT&T Stadium is getting a $1 billion upgrade, but some locals are wondering why they are footing the bill.

Jerry’s World — named after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones — is one of the best arenas in the NFL and the pride of Arlington.

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It needs work to ensure it remains that way and Arlington City Council will contribute $273 million.

Given that Jones is worth $18 billion and Dallas is the world’s most valuable sports franchise, some taxpayers are wondering why.

The plan, which includes extending the Cowboys’ lease and funding major improvements, passed in a 7-2 vote Tuesday.

“I feel the majority of decisions were deceived. When we voted, that was for the Cowboys — that was not to give the council hands in our pocketbooks,” said Arlington resident Warren Norred.

The Cowboys will contribute at least $750, while the city will pay up to $273 million over 20 years from 2028.

Upgrades will include enhanced security and infrastructure to ease traffic flow with a completion date set for 2043.

The team will remain in Arlington until at least 2055.

Mayor Jim Ross voted yes and insisted that voters had already been consulted when 55 percent approved the creation of taxes to fund construction in 2004.

“I hear you with your concerns, there’s nothing more I agree with that this is something that the voters need to have a say in this,” Ross told attendees. “I’m just confident that they’ve already had that say.”

City Manager Trey Yelverton revealed that Arlington had paid off the debt it accrued when building the stadium in August — a decade early. The total cost including interest was $490 million.

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The city owns the stadium, but residents still wanted to have a say.

“If this deal truly is good for the public, then it should be strong enough to survive a public vote,” Etta Ashley told council members.

“Sometimes I hear a lot of conversations about, ‘How come the city gave the Cowboys $325 million?’” Yelverton said of the original contribution. “In my mind, it’s almost the opposite because the asset is the city’s. We are responsible for it. So it is, how come the Cowboys gave the city $925 million?”

A third-party study claimed that the Cowboys franchise is worth $324 million in economic impact for the local economy every year.

Business and local economic development officials called on council members to support the agreement.

“Were it not the Cowboys, we would not be here,” said Constantine Dimas, the chief business officer of Loews Hotels & Co.

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Dallas Stadium hosts World Cup matches

This is the second time AT&T Stadium has left some neighbors befuddled in recent months.

Corporate branding is not permitted in the FIFA World Cup with venues being named after their host cities.

New York New Jersey Stadium is a bit of a jumble in an attempt to mix accuracy with worldwide recognition for MetLife Stadium.

But Dallas Stadium for one based in Arlington is just plain wrong.

Arlington is over 20 miles from Dallas, which hasn’t been the Cowboys’ HQ since the franchise moved from Texas Stadium in Irving in 1971.

“Should be Texas Stadium, or Arlington Stadium at the least. That isn’t in Dallas,” wrote one bemused X user.

Another added: “Technically, it’s not even in Dallas county or Dallas. Talk about confusing for people. Should be called Arlington stadium for the week. Taxpayers of Arlington paid their fair share and have to deal the nightmare. Just saying. @CityOfArlington.”

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