In a recent high school girls basketball state championship, local teams provided an electric atmosphere, highlighting the lack of Dallas hosting the UIL state basketball tournaments. Despite high local interest and financial benefits, the tournaments have been held in San Antonio since 2015, leaving many empty seats during the games.

The Big Picture

The absence of the UIL state basketball tournaments in Dallas raises questions about the event's location choice, impacting attendance and community engagement despite the region's strong basketball culture.

By the Numbers
  • The 5A girls final drew 3,044 fans, while the 6A boys final had 2,961 attendees.
  • Last year's girls and boys state tournaments in San Antonio had $3.5 million and $4.8 million economic impacts, respectively.
State of Play
  • Local venues like American Airlines Center and Dickies Arena have expressed interest in hosting the tournaments, citing logistical challenges due to prior commitments.
  • Efforts to host the tournaments in Dallas have faced obstacles due to scheduling conflicts with professional sports games and other events.
What's Next

Considerations for future UIL state basketball tournaments might involve exploring rotating sites, adjusting dates, or potentially hosting girls and boys tournaments separately to accommodate available venues.

Bottom Line

The issue of Dallas not hosting the UIL state basketball tournaments reveals missed opportunities for local engagement and economic benefits, prompting a reevaluation of event locations and scheduling strategies to enhance community involvement and financial gains.