Gail Delaughter/Houston Public Media
The Houston Texans are debating a potentially significant move that could reshape the team’s daily operations and their footprint in the Houston region – building a new practice facility and accompanying entertainment district, potentially away from the franchise’s longtime home at NRG Park.
Owner Cal McNair said Monday the organization is in the middle of evaluating options for a new front office headquarters and team practice facility. While NRG Park remains in play, McNair said the team is seriously considering alternatives throughout the region.
“Where we wind up with the practice facility, I’m not really quite sure yet. We have a lot of great options and we’ll sort through that sooner rather than later,” McNair told reporters during a media availability at the Houston Texans Foundation golf tournament.
The Texans currently operate one of the NFL’s rare setups, with practice operations housed within the NRG Stadium complex, which is owned by Harris County. However, McNair said that is likely not sustainable long-term.
“Very few teams are actually in the facility, in the stadium like we are. So it’s more the norm to move out. When you do that, there’s been some teams that have done it recently where they have development around there. So those are all things we’re looking at,” he said.
Although the team is comfortable with its NRG Park location, it’s also open to relocating its offices and training facilities.
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“What’s great is we’re OK where we are. So that’s our starting point,” McNair said. “Would we move out? Yeah, we would move out and do a brand new one somewhere.”
Texans President Mike Tomon elaborated on the possibilities that accompany building a new facility, especially one that could be part of a broader entertainment district.
“It’s a pretty unique situation these days. The value that the Texans can bring to a community … we really see that there’s a great way that we can impact the community in a great way. To make sure that it’s a destination, it’s an asset for the community for the folks who are there, and with that comes revenue opportunities,” Tomon said.
The Dallas Cowboys operate the league’s most notable development tied to a headquarters/practice facility. The Star opened in 2016 in a suburb north of Dallas and includes numerous restaurants, bars and shops in addition to a hotel, office space and residential units. The total size of the development is more than 90 acres.
Tomon, hired in January, has experience in the sports business space. He spent a decade as COO at Legends, which helps teams operate dining and hospitality within stadiums in addition to managing venues.
He pointed to the growing popularity of entertainment districts around sports venues, and said they can offer benefits beyond a new space for the team and its employees.
“They’re great opportunities for corporate partners to engage, they’re great opportunities for other retail, local retail, national retail,” Tomon said.
Tomon said the team has had talks with multiple entities who would have the land needed for a new complex. Still, building at NRG Park hasn’t been ruled out.
“It is an option,” Tomon said. “We’re good where we are, so we’re coming from that position. But we’re exploring other opportunities.”
The Texans are also working on plans to renovate and update NRG Stadium, where the team plays its home games and has a lease through 2032. The franchise remains in talks with RodeoHouston and Harris County on an updated lease, according to McNair.