Dallas, Texas, is a city that has long been synonymous with football, pride, and, of course, the Dallas Cowboys. For decades, the Cowboys have been the most beloved and, often, the most divisive team in the city. As “America’s Team,” the Cowboys have enjoyed immense success, but they’ve also been the source of intense frustration for many fans, particularly during their struggles in recent years. However, as of the 2023 season, a seismic shift has occurred in the Dallas sports landscape, one that has caused the Cowboys to lose their place as the most loathed team in the city.
This monumental change in sentiment was brought about by a trade that left many across the sports world talking: the Dallas Mavericks’ acquisition of a certain player who, in a matter of months, would completely shift the sports hierarchy in Dallas. While football has always held a special place in the hearts of many Texans, a singular trade turned the Mavericks into the talk of the town, pushing the Cowboys out of the spotlight—at least for the moment—and causing the Cowboys to lose their title as the city’s most despised team.
Let’s take a look at how this incredible trade unfolded, how it shifted the balance of power in Dallas, and why the Cowboys, despite their storied history and loyal fanbase, are no longer the most hated team in the city.
The Dallas Cowboys: A Legacy of Success and Struggle
To understand why the Cowboys no longer hold the crown as the most loathed team in Dallas, we first need to take a brief journey through their history. The Dallas Cowboys, founded in 1960, have always been one of the most successful and prominent franchises in NFL history. With five Super Bowl championships, a string of Hall of Fame players, and a passionate fanbase, the Cowboys were, for decades, a symbol of American sports excellence.
For years, the Cowboys were the dominant force in the NFL, especially during their 1990s dynasty under coach Jimmy Johnson and quarterback Troy Aikman. The team was virtually untouchable, winning three Super Bowls in four seasons and building a legacy that would be hard to surpass. For many years, Dallas was a football town, and Cowboys fans filled the stadiums with pride and hope for future success.
However, after the departure of coach Johnson and the retirement of key players, the Cowboys entered a period of decline. While still boasting a strong fanbase, the team began to experience years of mediocrity, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s. The franchise had some bright spots—players like Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, and Dak Prescott—but the lack of sustained success left many fans frustrated and, at times, disillusioned.
By the mid-2010s, the Cowboys were still a high-profile team, but they were no longer consistently among the league’s elite. This brought with it an increased level of scrutiny. The constant talk about “Super Bowl or bust” became more like a broken record, as each year ended in disappointment, and the hopes of fans were dashed in the postseason. Whether it was questionable coaching decisions, missed opportunities, or the team simply being outplayed by superior opponents, the Cowboys’ inability to reach the next level slowly transformed them from America’s Team into the team that many fans loved to hate.
Perhaps what stung the most for Dallas fans was that, despite being the center of attention and a brand that was globally recognized, the Cowboys had failed to live up to their enormous expectations. This continued failure began to breed resentment, both from rival fans and, increasingly, from their own supporters who yearned for a return to glory.
The Mavericks’ Incredible Trade: A Shift in the Balance of Power
Fast forward to 2023. After years of basketball mediocrity, the Dallas Mavericks were no longer the afterthought they once were. The team’s fortunes had changed, and that shift had everything to do with one man: Luka Dončić.
Dončić, the Mavericks’ young Slovenian superstar, has been the talk of the NBA since his arrival in 2018. The former EuroLeague MVP came into the league with immediate impact, and it didn’t take long for him to become one of the NBA’s brightest stars. His flashy playmaking, ice-cold shooting, and ability to take over games single-handedly earned him a legion of fans across the world, and especially in Dallas. Dončić became the face of the Mavericks, the type of player who could lead them to the promised land.
However, despite Dončić’s incredible individual success, the Mavericks still struggled to assemble a championship-caliber team around him. The front office made several bold moves to bring in help—most notably, the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis in 2019. Yet, as good as Porzingis was, the duo never quite worked out, and Dallas was still lacking a second legitimate superstar to help shoulder the load.
Then, in the 2023 offseason, everything changed.
In a trade that shocked the NBA world, the Mavericks managed to pull off the unthinkable: acquiring star guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. The deal, which saw Dallas part ways with multiple draft picks and role players, was a gamble, but it was one that paid off in spectacular fashion. Lillard, one of the most explosive scoring guards in the NBA, immediately provided the Mavericks with the superstar complement they so desperately needed alongside Dončić.
Lillard’s arrival transformed the Mavericks into one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the NBA. His elite shooting ability, deep range, and clutch performances meshed perfectly with Dončić’s all-around game, creating a lethal one-two punch that was virtually unstoppable. For the first time in years, the Mavericks were a legitimate championship contender, with fans beginning to believe that their time had come.
As the Mavericks’ fortunes improved, so did their public perception. Fans who had long turned their attention to the Cowboys and their perpetual struggles began to focus on the Mavs, their newfound hope. The excitement around Lillard’s arrival reached a fever pitch, and Mavericks fans couldn’t help but compare the team’s potential to that of the Cowboys—a comparison that didn’t do the Cowboys any favors.
Why the Cowboys Are No Longer the Most Loathed Team in Dallas
The impact of the Lillard trade went beyond just improving the Mavericks on the court. It reignited a basketball culture in Dallas that had long been overshadowed by football. For years, Dallas was a Cowboys town—no one questioned it. But when the Mavericks made their big move, they offered Dallas something the Cowboys had not in quite some time: hope.
For a franchise that had consistently underperformed in the postseason, the arrival of Lillard paired with Dončić made the Mavs an exciting and dynamic team. Meanwhile, the Cowboys remained trapped in their own cycle of mediocrity. Despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, they continued to falter in key moments, particularly in the playoffs. Under head coach Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys’ performances continued to be underwhelming, and the hype surrounding the team began to fade. The constant churn of expectations, coupled with the team’s inability to make significant playoff runs, fueled a growing sense of frustration that reached new heights in 2023.
The Cowboys’ inability to break free from the playoff doldrums made it easy for the Mavericks to steal the spotlight. Dallas fans, once enamored with their football team, found themselves captivated by the basketball team’s rising potential. The Mavs weren’t just winning games—they were thrilling fans with their high-powered offense and playmaking brilliance. Lillard’s clutch performances and Dončić’s dazzling displays of skill captured the attention of a city starved for excitement, and with that, the Cowboys began to fade from the top of the sports food chain.
As the season wore on, the Mavericks became more than just a fun, promising team. They became the hope of Dallas sports fans, the team that could finally bring a championship to the city. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ continued failure to deliver on their massive potential left many fans disillusioned and frustrated, leading some to even begin turning away from their once-beloved team.
The Shift in Fan Loyalty
While it’s difficult to completely dethrone a franchise as beloved and entrenched in the city’s identity as the Cowboys, the Mavericks’ rise was undeniable. Fans who had long suffered through Cowboys playoff heartbreaks found new joy in the Mavericks’ thrilling run, which saw them dominate the league with their high-scoring offense and fast-paced play.
The Cowboys, for their part, had become a punchline for sports critics. Despite boasting one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, they were consistently unable to make it past the divisional round, much less win a Super Bowl. Their inability to win big games, combined with their constant off-field drama, left fans searching for something—anything—that could restore their belief in Dallas sports.
In 2023, that something came in the form of Luka Dončić and Damian Lillard. The Mavericks had found their duo, their franchise cornerstones, and the excitement in the city was palpable. For the first time in years, Dallas was energized by a team with legitimate championship aspirations, and the Cowboys, despite their national fame, no longer carried the same weight in the hearts of the local fans.
Conclusion
In a stunning turn of events, the Dallas Cowboys have officially lost their title as the most loathed team in Dallas. The incredible trade that brought Damian Lillard to the Mavericks turned the basketball team into the city’s new darling, pushing the Cowboys into the background. For the first time in decades, it’s the Mavs who are the talk of the town, and the Cowboys—once the undisputed kings of Dallas sports—are now just another team struggling to live up to their lofty expectations.
While the Cowboys’ storied history and passionate fanbase will always ensure they remain an important part of Dallas’ sports culture, the Mavericks have proven that in the world of sports, hope, excitement, and a little bit of star power can go a long way in changing perceptions and fan loyalty. Whether the Cowboys can reclaim their place atop Dallas’ sports hierarchy remains to be seen. But for now, the Mavs are in the spotlight—and they’re not planning to relinquish it anytime soon.