The Dallas Opera is teaming with the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for a series of education and community engagement programs.

The goal of the partnership is to “help both organizations build better communities in northeast Texas, and achieve more equitable arts access for the next generation.”

“Our Dallas Mavericks brand is bigger than basketball,” said Gail O’Bannon, Dallas Mavericks Chief DEI Officer, in an official press statement. “By connecting the worlds of art and sports, we are investing in the next generation while positively impacting our community. It’s a real WIN-WIN, and I am thrilled about the opportunity to partner with The Dallas Opera.”

“When Gail and I were first introduced two years ago and began discussing the possibility of working together, we both knew that our community had to be at the center,” added Kristian Roberts, Director of Education at The Dallas Opera. “This initiative has been coming for quite some time, and I am excited to be working with an organization that shares an open commitment to DEI and serving our schools and community.”

Per Forbes, the Dallas Mavericks are seventh most valuable team in the NBA, valued at $4.5 billion.