Task 2: The Day I Saw "The Death Star"

An outside view of Cowboys Stadium

When I think about pieces of real estate that fascinate me, I instantly think about "The Death Star."  No, I am not referring to the same Death Star Luke Skywalker destroyed in Starwars Episode IV: A New Hope.  I am referring to one of the many nicknames given to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  This mammoth structure is where the NFL's Dallas Cowboys call home.  In addition to hosting Dallas Cowboys' games, Cowboys Stadium has hosted events such as The Super Bowl, The Cotton Bowl, NBA All-Star Weekend, The Southwest Classic (featuring the Texas A&M Aggies and Arkansas Razorbacks), and numerous concerts.

NBA All Star Weekend at Cowboys Stadium

A picture of the east entrance designed for Super Bowl XLV

Johnny Football dominating the inferior Oklahoma defense at the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic

Cowboys Stadium was inspired by Cowboys Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones.  It was Mr. Jones' desire to build one of the biggest state-of-the-art stadiums in the world.  Mr. Jones hoped to construct a universal venue with the flexibility and capacity to host famous international events.  Jerry Jones' hands on approach to building the stadium is why it is also known as "Jerryworld."  Cowboys Stadium is one of the newest stadiums in the NFL, and has many unique features.

Jerry Jones looking over his crowd like Big Brother

The signature, and most fascinating, feature of Cowboys Stadium is the high definition video board hung above the playing field.  The video board stretches from one 20 yard line to the other, and was once the world's largest high definition video board until Charlotte Motor Speedway constructed a larger one.  The stadium features a retractable roof in the center, and glass walls behind the endzones that also retract.  The hard steel and glass exterior gives the stadium an intimidating look, similar to that of "The Death Star" featured in the Star Wars movie franchise.

An angled view capturing two of the four screens that make up the world famous Cowboys Stadium high definition video board

Some have criticized the venue, calling it a distraction.  Although many of the features in the stadium are over the top, no other venue in the NFL can rival how luxurious and extravagant the stadium truly is.  If the stadium was not as ornate and fascinating as it is, many international sporting events and concerts would not ever consider coming to the north Texas area.  The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex has benefited economically from hosting many of the high profile events Cowboys Stadium has attracted since its inception.

Cowboys Stadium is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate on Earth.  Cowboys Stadium's $1.4 billion cost to build makes it the most expensive stadium construction in NFL history.  This facility has a lot to do with The Dallas Cowboys being named the most valuable franchise in sports by Forbes Magazine.  Mr. Jones bought the franchise in 1989 for $140 million.  Since then, the Cowboys have skyrocketed in value to an estimated value of $2.1 billion.

I have personally attended several events held at the stadium since its inception in the year 2009.  I can personally say I have never been to a stadium in any sport remotely like Cowboys Stadium.  It has become my favorite venue to watch an event in.  Although a project like this is once in a lifetime, it has become a goal of mine to help broker a transaction of this magnitude if I decide to become a real estate transaction lawyer.  Deals like this are one in a million, so to work on one of this size would be a great privilege and honor.

For more information about the stadium, and a small tour, click this link.