Behind the Banner - March 2022 by VisitDallas

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WrestleMania Smacks Down on Dallas WWE’s Super Bowl returns to Big D. By David Lee

WrestleMania returns to Dallas for the first time in six years, with the main events taking place at AT&T Stadium April 2-3. WrestleMania 38 promises to be “The Most Stupendous Two-Night Event in WrestleMania History,” and for the first time will take place over two nights in front of full-capacity crowds. In addition, a week’s worth of events around the Dallas area will give fans an unprecedented experience. “We look forward to creating another unparalleled experience over two nights for fans that will attend

at AT&T Stadium, and certainly the millions more watching live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else around the world,” says John Saboor, the WWE’s Executive Vice President of Special Events. “We very much look forward to hosting our fans from 47 countries and all 50 states to participate. And we cannot wait to work with our local partners—the Dallas Sports Commission, the Dallas Cowboys, the city of Dallas, the city of Arlington, our partners at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center and the American Airlines Center—to build upon the success and

records that were created for WrestleMania 32 in 2016.” The Super Bowl of sports entertainment is expected to attract more than 100,000 attendees, with around 70 percent coming from outside the DFW metroplex. Headlining the two-night event, Brock Lesnar (WWE Champion) takes on Roman Reigns (Universal Champion) in a winner-takes-all match. Topping the women’s card, WWE Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch attempts to defend her title against Bianca Belair and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair faces Ronda Rousey. The WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship is on the line with current champs, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), taking on Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs. Another tag-team match features Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz and Logan Paul. “Each night of WrestleMania is meant to be its own Super Bowl of sports entertainment,” Saboor says. “Fans who come for both nights will have two incredible outcomes. But those who might come for just one night will have the full offering of what WrestleMania has to offer. Part of the DNA of WrestleMania is, no two WrestleMania has ever been alike. There will be any number of new signature moments that are created in our return AT&T Stadium.” A major part of WrestleMania Week takes place at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, where fans can shop the Superstore Axxess—the largest collection of WrestleMania merchandise ever assembled—as well as a plethora of WWE history and memorabilia displays and themed activities. WrestleMania Panels will also take place at the KBHCC featuring intimate live shows with fan-favorite WWE Superstars, Hall of Famers and Legends. WrestleMania 38 is expected to generate around $170 million in economic impact, and out-of-

town travelers are expected to stay an average of four nights. Many fans will make the trip their annual family vacation. “Our worldwide fans are absolutely responsible for the continued growth of WrestleMania,” Saboor says. “They have embraced every part of the week-long celebration by coming early, staying longer and spending more within our host communities.”

“Each night of WrestleMania is meant to be its own Super Bowl of sports entertainment” JOHN SABOOR,

WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events

From the induction of Texas native “The Undertaker” into the WWE Hall of Fame, to a visit to Children’s Medical Center, to the Special Olympics Unified Event at The Star in Frisco, to the Make-A-Wish Circle of Champions event at the Dallas Zoo, and many other community events, WrestleMania aims to leave a lasting positive impact on the greater Dallas area. “Our goal is to create social windfalls in addition to the very positive economic windfalls, and always to leave more in our host community than we could ever take out,” Saboor says.

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WORLD-CLASS VOLLEYBALL

RETURNS TO DALLAS By Sam Weiger

Athletes Unlimited Volleyball, the only professional women’s indoor volleyball league in the U.S., returns to Dallas with three new Olympians on its roster and an enhanced fan experience. The league’s worldclass athletes and interaction with fans provide an extraordinary opportunity for sports enthusiasts, and its philanthropic efforts create a positive community impact. The league’s second season will offer fans a limitedtime opportunity to watch and follow a star-studded player field. From Wednesday, Mar. 16 to Saturday, Apr. 16, seven Olympians and a plethora of world champions from around the globe will compete vigorously for awards and cash bonuses. Fans can spectate in person at Fair Park Coliseum or watch all 44 players live on CBS Sports Network, FOX Sports, Bally Sports Regional Sports Network and on social media. The Athletes Unlimited app also allows fans to become familiar with these premier athletes through behind-the-scenes videos, interviews and articles.

“Fans should be most excited about the level of competition,” said Tayyiba Haneef-Park, Director of Athletes Unlimited Volleyball and three-time Olympian. “The atmosphere will be fun and interactive once fans get to the stadium, but when they get to see the level of competition these women are playing at, I think it will blow their minds. We know that not everybody can be at Fair Park in the seats though, so we encourage people to join our app. The app gives them a very interactive experience.” In preparation for its second season, Athletes Unlimited upgraded its app and the in-person fan experience. Fans can score points through interactive activities on the app and use the points to claim rewards. The app offers a wide range of rewards, including a free month of online fitness classes and discounts on athletic supplements. Although the app adds an extra dimension of interactivity for fans, the league recommends attending in person for a full-fledged experience.

Ticket-holders have the advantages of becoming fully-immersed in a vibrant match atmosphere and treating themselves to a more extensive shopping selection. “The biggest difference this season will be having fans in the stands, and we have built up a really lively experience,” said Haneef-Park. This experience begins as soon as they walk in the building, with multiple shops and interactive QR codes. Once fans get to the gym, they will notice the colors we’ve used that bring the stadium to life. There will be TikTok challenges, chances to win prizes and an interactive LED board during matches. Everything that we’ve done will bring spectators to life at Athletes Unlimited volleyball matches.”

addition to intense match play, the organization also accentuates its female players. Athletes Unlimited allows the women competing on the court to make the major decisions pertaining to the league, from choosing team coaches to selecting match times. In other words, this new-fashioned delegation of power gives these female athletes the chance to run the show at Fair Park on and off the court. “We are excited about our continued partnership with Athletes Unlimited as they return to Fair Park’s Coliseum,” said Dallas Sports Commission Executive Director Monica Paul. “Returning for season two of volleyball shows that Dallas has an appetite for women’s professional sports and how much sporting events have an opportunity to grow year after year in our market.” Athletes Unlimited has developed volleyball locally by amplifying its grassroots outreach. The league partnered with Starlings Volleyball USA, an organization that provides opportunities for young ladies in underserved communities who aspire to play volleyball. Athletes Unlimited organized a clinic in Dallas with over 60 junior athletes and 14 of the league’s professional athletes. The professionals served as clinic counselors and guided the juniors through a handful of drills. Athletes Unlimited supplemented this community outreach effort with a program dedicated to making charitable contributions.

Athletes Unlimited presents an innovative league format that naturally enriches the fan experience and creates new opportunities for professional female athletes. The scoring system is designed to keep fans on the edge of their seats with fastpaced, climacteric points from start to finish. In

“The main charity event that Athletes Unlimited does is the Athletes Causes program, which gives fans a chance to see the athletes play for a cause that is near and dear to their heart,” said HaneefPark. “One of our athletes plays for Susan G. Komen, while another plays to raise awareness for mental health challenges. At the end of the season, Athletes Unlimited will match up to 50 percent of the athlete’s bonuses and donate that money back to the non-profit she was playing for. Every woman playing in the league has a cause that she is playing for.” BEHIND THE BANNER

MARCH 2022 EDITION

the pros at home in april SUN

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MARCH 2022 EDITION

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LATEST FROM

THE COMMISSION Congressional Resolution Introduced In Support Of USA Rugby World Cup Bid USA Rugby and the USA Rugby World Cup Bid Committee applauded the introduction of a congressional resolution expressing support for the United States’ bid to host upcoming Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cup tournaments.

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Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Returns For Season 2 in Dallas Athletes Unlimited, in partnership with USA Volleyball, returns to Dallas for it’s second season after a successful inaugural 2021 season. The season lasts five weeks and each week, new teams with new captains are selected.

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MARCH 2022 EDITION

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