Mavs to emphasize skill, tone down 'eye candy' elements in dance squad

Amidst a major philosophical overhaul, the Dallas Mavericks are switching up their approach to in-arena entertainment, specifically in regard to the team's dance squad.

"We want the focus to be on the dancers as artists and to highlight their skills, not be eye candy or sexualized," said Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall, according to Dallas News' Sharon Grigsby.

The changes will impact the dance team's wardrobe and routines, both at Mavericks games and community events.

Most of the headlines about the Mavericks this past season were generated by reports of impropriety, negligence, and harassment within the team's corporate culture. For her part, Marshall, a former executive at AT&T, was brought in to clean up the mess in Dallas.

"We love our dancers," Marshall added. "But we are re-evaluating every aspect of this organization to make sure they are living up to the values we are instilling in the entire Mavericks operation."

While the past year's reports didn't directly intersect with the Mavericks dancers, the team's decision to tone down sexual themes echoes a trend around the league. The San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards have both added male talent to their previously all-female dance teams, with the Spurs going a step further by retiring their "Silver Dancers" branding in favor of a more broadly defined hype team.

"Everyone should feel comfortable - both the performers and everyone in the arena," said Marshall. "If someone brings a 10-year-old to the game, I don't want them having to cover the kid's eyes during performances."