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CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament proceeds fuel mental health campaign across Dallas

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CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament proceeds fuel mental health campaign across Dallas


Each spring, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson brings some of the biggest names in golf, and millions of dollars in proceeds, to North Texas.

But that money doesn’t stay on the course. It’s quietly helping fund a Dallas nonprofit. 

For more than 50 years, the Momentous Institute has been the tournament’s beneficiary. 

The nonprofit provides mental health care, education, and family resources to support children and communities across Dallas.

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“Over the years, the tournament has raised more than $185 million for the Momentous Institute, which directly supports the services we provide to the community,” said Dr. Jessica Gomez with the organization. “We’re really focused on helping the whole child and the whole family system heal from whatever mental health challenges they’re going through.”

This year, those efforts are taking shape in a new citywide campaign tied to Mental Health Awareness Month. Called “Squeeze the Day,” the campaign is meant to encourage North Texans to tap into the power of nature to support their well-being.

Billboards and installations have popped up across the city, from the Dallas Zoo to Klyde Warren Park to the Dallas Arboretum, urging people to pause, get outside, and find simple ways to care for their mental health.

“Having these reminders throughout the zoo that encourage people to take a moment and take in their surroundings, it’s really important,” said Kari Streiber with the Dallas Zoo. “You have to save those natural places and appreciating them is the first step.”

For the Momentous Institute, it’s all part of the mission of reaching people where they are and showing them that caring for their mental health can start with something as small as taking a deep breath outdoors.

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So, next time you’re enjoying a walk or a visit to one of Dallas’ green spaces, don’t be surprised if you see a reminder to Squeeze the Day, and know that the CJ Cup Byron Nelson helped make it happen.



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Dallas, TX

Mavrik Bourque signs one-year contract extension with Dallas Stars

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Mavrik Bourque signs one-year contract extension with Dallas Stars


It was a busy Friday afternoon for Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill, who made his fourth player transaction in the last two days.

Less than half an hour after the team announced an extension for defenseman Nils Lundkvist, Dallas also signed forward Mavrik Bourque to a one-year contract worth $950,000.

“Mavrik is a dynamic and highly skilled player whose vision and hockey IQ stand out every time he is on the ice,” said Nill in a statement. “His ability to create plays and elevate the game is something we value deeply in such a young player. We are excited to have him back and confident he’ll continue to make a significant impact for our team.”

Bourque’s entry-level contract was to expire this summer with the 23-year-old set to become a restricted free agent. Many saw him as a popular candidate for an offer sheet by another team, but Nill locked up Bourque for another year before that could even be a possibility.

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He also received a slight raise, as his entry-level deal held a $894,000 cap hit annually.

Bourque made his NHL debut for the Stars late in the 2023-24 season before earning a permanent spot on the roster out of training camp last fall. In his rookie year, he appeared in 73 regular-season games, recording 25 points (11 goals and 14 assists).

Bourque took on a reduced role in the playoffs, appearing in just three games and not registering a point.

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But the Quebec native has long been thought of as a key part of Dallas’ future. He was the Stars’ first-round draft pick in the 2020 NHL draft, led the AHL in scoring in the 2023-24 season and was named the league’s MVP that year.

His transition to the NHL landed him in a bottom-six role for most of the season and led to some inconsistencies in his game. But the Stars still feel there’s promise in his development when given more time and opportunity to show his full potential.

After the extension of fellow restricted free agent Nils Lundkvist, the Stars are left with $2.76 million to sign four players.

On X/Twitter: @Lassimak

    NHL free agency FAQs: What to know about the Dallas Stars before the market opens July 1
    Dallas Stars sign defenseman Nils Lundkvist to one-year, $1.25 million contract extension

Find more Stars coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.





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Dallas, TX

‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ documents pay win for the group

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‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ documents pay win for the group


DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have scored a salary touchdown.

The new season of the Netflix docuseries “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” includes the women getting a pay raise.

“‘Happy’ isn’t even the right word for it. It kind of felt like a relief, like everything had paid off,” former cheerleader Jada McLean said. “And finally, we were done fighting.”

Netflix bills the series as viewers get to “Follow the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and the NFL season as they chase their dreams and a coveted spot on the squad.”

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During the first season, the audience learned that because of the low pay many of cheerleaders had to work second jobs. The women have advocated for more money for years.

“Our efforts were heard, and they wanted to give us a raise,” Megan McElaney, a four-year veteran of the team, said. “And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is, like, life-changing.”

The Dallas Cowboys have long been called America’s team, and according to Forbes magazine, the franchise has “been the most valuable pro sports team in the world for almost a decade,” as reported by Associated Press.

Season 2 of “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” is currently streaming on Netflix.



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Dallas, TX

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders win a huge pay raise

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Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders win a huge pay raise


ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have gained a significant victory … something the NFL team they work for hasn’t done in a while.

Arguably the most famous cheerleaders in the world, it traditionally hasn’t been a high-paying job. In 2019, the Cowboys settled a lawsuit with a former cheerleader that led to the squad doubling the per-game pay from $200 to $400.

That’s a 100% increase, but the cheerleaders are about to get a much larger bump in pay … 400%.

That’s according to a member of the squad, who revealed the pay raise during an episode of the Netflix series “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.”

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“Our efforts were heard and they wanted to give us a raise,” four-year veteran Megan McElaney said on the show. “And we ended up getting a 400% increase, which is like, life-changing.”

It seems like the raise shouldn’t put too much of a dent into the wallet of team owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys are worth an estimated $10.1 billion, making them not only the most valuable team in the NFL, but also the world’s most valuable sports team.

The cheerleaders have been a fixture on the Cowboys’ sidelines since 1961. The squad saw its fame explode in the 1970s when former General Manager Tex Schramm had the squad begin wearing a more revealing uniform and begin performing dance routines, a departure from traditional cheerleading.

The cheerleaders have toured the world as part of USO shows, have appeared on TV shows and had a made-for-TV movies released in 1979 and 1980.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

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