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Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

On July 20, 2015, majority owner Bill Cameron announced the franchise would move to Arlington, Texas for the 2016 season. The decision followed a tumultuous final year in Tulsa where the Shock qualified for the playoffs but were swept by Phoenix. On November 2, 2015, the team officially changed its name to the Dallas Wings. The choice of 'Wings' was not arbitrary; it stems from the famous Mobil Oil Co. 'Flying Horse' atop a historic downtown Dallas building. This landmark provided the thematic bridge between the city's existing sports culture and the new WNBA franchise. The mascot concept aligns closely with that of the local NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, creating a unified visual identity in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The team found its new home at the College Park Center at UT Arlington.

In Their Own Story

The transition from Tulsa to Dallas was marked by legal and logistical turbulence. On July 21, 2015, minority owner Stuart Price filed suit against Cameron in a failed attempt to keep the team in Tulsa. Despite this resistance, WNBA League owners unanimously approved the relocation on July 23, 2015. The franchise played its last regular season home game in Tulsa on September 13 against Phoenix before completing the move. The new identity was solidified when the name 'Dallas Wings' was officially adopted on November 2, 2015. This rebranding honored the city's history through the Mobil Oil Co. 'Flying Horse,' a symbol already familiar to locals and fans of the Dallas Mavericks. The team set up operations at the College Park Center, sharing the venue with the UT Arlington Mavericks.

Reader's Guide

Fans visiting the College Park Center in Arlington will see the Dallas Wings competing in their new home arena. The team's identity is rooted in the 'Flying Horse' motif found on historic downtown buildings and mirrored by the Dallas Mavericks mascot. Supporters can trace the franchise lineage from its time as the Detroit Shock (1998–2009), through the Tulsa era (2010–2015), to its current status. The 2015 season was a turning point; despite starting well and making the playoffs, the team was swept by Phoenix before relocating. The name change on November 2, 2015, officially cemented the connection to Dallas civic history. When looking for merchandise or arena signage, expect to see elements reflecting this 'Flying Horse' heritage alongside the winged logo.

Did You Know?

• The Dallas Wings name stems from the famous Mobil Oil Co. 'Flying Horse' atop a historic downtown Dallas building.
• The Wings mascot is described as similar to that of the local NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks.
• On July 20, 2015, owner Bill Cameron announced the move to Arlington, Texas, just days before minority owner Stuart Price filed a lawsuit to stop it.
• The franchise played its final home game in Tulsa on September 13, 2015, against Phoenix before relocating.
• The team officially changed its name to the Dallas Wings on November 2, 2015.