The latest episode of The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, features Mark Kundysek, CEO and founder of NexCourt, a North Texas construction company that has been building sports courts for 35 years. NexCourt was awarded the contract to construct six mini-pitch futsal courts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup planning committee, with ribbon cuttings already underway. The company has also built nearly 50 courts for the Dallas Mavericks Foundation, cementing its status as a key community-legacy builder in the region.
During the episode, Kundysek discusses NexCourt's evolution from a $250 dealer kit in 1988-89 to a full sport construction operation. The six 5,000-square-foot mini-pitch futsal courts were commissioned by the North Texas World Cup Committee after a referral from FC Dallas, which had previously worked with NexCourt on six other projects. The company has also partnered with organizations such as the Dallas Mavericks (25 years), Nancy Lieberman's Dream Courts (17 years), the Dallas Stars Foundation, Make-A-Wish, and the Dak Prescott Foundation.
The 2021 pickleball boom has also boosted NexCourt's business, leading to commercial builds like City Pickle in North Fort Worth (16 courts) and a 12-court facility in Celina. Kundysek describes futsal as a format that uses a low-bounce ball and emphasizes passing, foot skills, teamwork, and character development, making it distinct from traditional outdoor soccer.
The community-legacy model NexCourt has refined over 25 years involves renovating aging tennis or basketball courts that are no longer in use. The first ribbon cutting for the World Cup pitches took place at the Esperanza Community Center in North Dallas on June 20, followed by George Stevens Park in downtown Arlington on June 26. Recent builds for Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham in Arlington and Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein in East Oklahoma City demonstrate the referral-driven pipeline. The FC Dallas Foundation is also working with NexCourt on a mini-pitch in Mansfield, tied to the city's new soccer stadium.
The Building Texas Show, hosted by Justin McKenzie, profiles founders, builders, and civic leaders shaping Texas communities. This episode is available now wherever podcasts are heard, along with drone footage of the World Cup court installations on NexCourt's social channels.
