A standoff over a $27 million budget shortfall is forcing the Dallas Wings to get creative, proposing a unique naming rights deal to salvage their delayed practice facility project.

The Wings franchise is pushing to take over development of its long-awaited practice facility. And now, according to city documents, they are planning to sell naming rights to the new facility as a way to generate a new revenue stream. But the structure of that deal makes things even more interesting.

Under the agreement, the franchise would return 70% of any naming rights proceeds back to the city, while keeping the remaining 30% for itself. Moreover, a portion of the city’s share is expected to go toward the development of Joey Georgusis Park – the same site where the facility is being planned.

But this move not only helps offset rising costs but also ties the project more directly to community investment.

However, at the center of this entire situation is a growing financial standoff between the franchise and the city.

With project costs rising beyond the initial $54 million estimate to over $81 million, the Wings have pushed to step in and take on the burden. That includes roughly $27 million in private funding, along with a commitment to cover any additional overruns if they are given control of the project.

If the city agrees to this, in return, it would remain capped at its original contribution, where both financial risk and development responsibility would shift toward the Dallas Wings.

If you are wondering why the WNBA franchise wants to take over this project, a little context might help. This facility was predicted to open in the spring of 2026. But with constant delays, the completion has been pushed to 2027. That delay is exactly why Wings President and CEO Greg Bibb has made his stance clear.

Speaking to the Dallas Business Journal, Bibb reiterated that the team wants to take over development of the facility, pointing directly to the ongoing delays as the driving factor. For the franchise, this isn’t just about speeding things up, but regaining control over a project that is central to its long-term future in Dallas.

And the ripple effects are already being felt beyond just the practice facility.

While the Wings had signed a 15-year agreement in 2024 to move into a renovated Dallas Memorial Auditorium by 2026, that timeline has now also been pushed back by two years. With the arena project lagging behind, the team is adjusting its plans accordingly. Bibb confirmed that the Wings now expect to play their home games at the American Airlines Center during the 2027 season.

So when you put it all together, the naming rights decision starts to make even more sense.

Because this isn’t just about creating a new revenue stream. It’s about navigating delays, absorbing rising costs, and finding ways to keep a long-term vision intact.

Inside the Dallas Wings’ delayed facility

What’s being built in West Oak Cliff isn’t just a practice gym; it’s a facility that is expected to span roughly 70,000 square feet, designed to meet evolving WNBA standards while also serving as a year-round base for basketball operations.

In this facility, the Wings plan to include two full courts, dedicated locker rooms, a weight room, kitchen space, offices, and training areas, all built with a focus on both performance and player development.

But the vision doesn’t stop with the team.

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This project also includes a community-focused wing within the facility, which will be open to the public during scheduled hours. In that space, the public will have access to meeting rooms, two adjacent soccer fields, and a connection to the Chalk Hill Trail.

This community element has remained an important part of the development. But until this project is completed, the public will have to wait, and the Dallas Wings will have to continue to operate out of their current setup in Arlington.