ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington Mayor Jim Ross watched the reports from New Orleans on New Year’s Day like many across the country.
“The devastation is heartbreaking,” he said. “I hate that our world has gotten to a point where something like this is going on nowadays. So, the first thing that goes through my mind is the families of those who lost loved ones or have been injured in that attack.”
When asked, as a city leader, what he thinks of next he added, “You know, we’re always thinking about that type of thing happening here in Arlington. We bring millions and millions of people to Arlington in our entertainment district every year. We are the Southwest United States entertainment hub so safety and the protection of those who are visiting us and live here in our community is first and foremost in our mind at all times.”
The Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 has all the makings of a classic. It is a historic matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium, predicted by city leaders to be a sold-out event full of two fan bases yearning for a chance to play in the championship.
Ticket prices are nothing to scoff at with prices high in the upper bowl going for more than $400 on reseller websites. Ross wanted to be clear, “I don’t set the ticket prices. I don’t get to have any say on all of that. I have my season tickets out there and I pay for those things, so, I feel it just like everybody else does.”
When asked what his message is for anyone who may be rethinking their decision to attend the Cotton Bowl next week, Ross replied, “This is what we do. We’re very proud of our ability to host these events. We’ll do everything in our power to keep everybody safe, and we want people to come and have a wonderful time.”