AT&T is a leading candidate to obtain naming rights for the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium, opening in 2009, said Arlington, Texas, Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The new NFL stadium will cost about $1.1 billion, and the sponsorship could be largest such deal in the history of professional sports.

AT&T already sponsors venues in San Antonio, where the NBA’s Spurs play, and in San Francisco, Calif., where MLB’s Giants play.  The company also sponsors the collegiate Cotton Bowl, which may move to the new stadium in Dallas.

A closer NFL city to ATT’s San Antonio headquarters is Houston, but naming rights for that city’s professional sports venues are already taken.

Verizon is also a possible sponsor, Mayor Cluck said.