Overview:
The Dallas Mavericks, American Airlines and Nick & Sam's Steakhouse held their annual Seats for Heroes event, welcoming 100 wounded and ill service members currently receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. The event, now in its 19th year, included a charter flight donated by American Airlines, a three-course dinner at Nick & Sam's Steakhouse, pregame hospitality, courtside seats to watch the Mavericks defeat the Utah Jazz, and a special meet-and-greet with Mavericks players. The event reflects the Dallas Mavericks' long-standing commitment to honoring those who serve, and provides a break from recovery and routine for the service members.
The Dallas Mavericks, American Airlines and Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse once again came together to honor military service members through their annual Seats for Heroes night — a tradition now in its 19th year.
This year’s event welcomed 100 wounded and ill service members currently receiving treatment at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Their journey began with a charter flight donated by American Airlines, with volunteer pilots and flight attendants giving their time to make the trip possible.
When the group arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, they were greeted with a hero’s welcome, including appearances by Mavericks entertainment teams and staff volunteers who lined up to thank them and help kick off the day.
“We’re always proud to say that we’re the ‘Official Airline of the Dallas Mavericks’ — and supporting this annual event for nearly two decades is a true privilege for our entire American Airlines team,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer. “As an Army veteran myself, I’m particularly grateful to our partners at the Dallas Mavericks, Nick and Sam’s and the Dallas Mavericks courtside season ticketholders for honoring our nation’s military with this year’s Seats for Heroes event.”
From the airport, the service members were escorted to Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse for a three-course dinner.
“This is an honor for me to do,” said Nick & Sam’s corporate chef and partner Samir Dhurandhar. “We’ve been doing this for a couple of decades now, and partnering with American Airlines and the Dallas Mavericks is always special. But the biggest thing is giving back.
We’re fortunate to have everything we need, and a lot of people don’t. So if we can give back a little, it makes us happy and makes everyone happy. They get to enjoy good food and a great game, and you just sleep better that night.”
Dhurandhar, who helped build Nick & Sam’s into one of Dallas’ most recognizable restaurants, said giving back is deeply personal.
“By God’s grace, it’s given me the opportunity to give back,” he said. “We have a huge partnership with the Dallas Mavericks and the players — I know a lot of them personally. So just giving back a little and showing that we care, that’s what it’s about. This is just a little drop in the water. There’s so much more we can do.”
Following dinner, the service members traveled to American Airlines Center, where they enjoyed pregame hospitality before heading to their courtside seats. There, they watched the Mavericks defeat the Utah Jazz, a win that pushed Dallas’ all-time Seats for Heroes record to 17–2.
After the final buzzer, the Heroes stayed on the court for a special meet-and-greet with Mavericks players, giving them the chance to take photos, shake hands and share a few moments with the team.
For the Mavericks, the event reflects a long-standing commitment to honoring those who serve.
“We want to make this memorable for all of our first responders and military members,” said Mateo Means, Senior Coordinator of CSR with the Mavs Foundation. “The Dallas Mavericks truly value first responder and military initiatives — it’s a big part of who we are. Anytime we can greet them, host them at Nick & Sam’s and bring them to a Mavericks game, it matters. It’s part of our culture.”
“They put themselves on the front lines for our nation and for each other,” Means added. “This is just a small way to show appreciation — giving them a day dedicated to themselves, bringing them to Nick & Sam’s and then to a Mavericks game later that night.”
For many of the service members, the night was about more than basketball — it was a break from recovery and routine.
“Coming from San Antonio to Dallas means a lot to the soldiers, especially for someone like me who is in a recovery stage of life,” said Army soldier Michael Trenka. “This gives us a chance to step away from the hospital and physical therapy and just get out, move forward and have fun again, especially with our peers.”
Trenka said being so close to the action made the experience even more special.
“Everyone is really looking forward to the game,” he said. “It’s an incredible opportunity, something a lot of people never get to experience. We’re very thankful for everyone who made this happen.”
As Seats for Heroes continues into its 19th year, the partnership between the Mavericks, American Airlines and Nick & Sam’s remains a powerful example of what can happen when sports, business and community come together.
For one night, 100 service members traded hospital rooms and therapy sessions for courtside seats, great food and unforgettable memories — a reminder that appreciation, when shown with intention, can leave a lasting impact.