Mavericks Reach Agreement On Arena Site Outside Of Downtown

The Mavericks have reached a preliminary agreement on a site for a new arena and entertainment district that would move the team outside of downtown Dallas for the first time in franchise history.

The team said in a statement that the agreement covers 104 acres at the former site of the Valley View mall, which was demolished three years ago. The site is about 13 miles north of downtown, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News.

“We have appreciated the enthusiasm from the Dallas City Manager, elected officials and the broader community to keep the team in Dallas,” the statement reads in part. “We look forward to continuing the collaboration toward that goal.

“The Valley View site meets most of the criteria established at the outset of our evaluation process. It is our goal to stay in the City of Dallas, and we believe this site provides the strongest opportunity to achieve that goal.

The tentative plan is for the new arena to be built by July 28, 2031, when the team’s lease at the American Airlines Center expires. Mavericks CEO Rick Welts, who was hired to lead the arena project, informed city manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert of the team’s decision on Monday, according to Townsend.

The city had pitched the team about staying in downtown, but the Mavericks had several concerns about that proposal, including meeting the July 2031 timeline, people familiar with the matter told Townsend.

“We have the opportunity to create a vibrant mixed-use destination anchored by a state-of-the-art arena, along with restaurants, entertainment options, public green spaces and family-friendly experiences,” the statement reads.

“Done thoughtfully and with community engagement, a project of this scale will serve as a meaningful economic catalyst for Dallas and its residents. We believe in Dallas, and our priority has been clear from the beginning: keeping the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas.”

As Townsend writes, Valley View isn’t the only possibility for the new arena. Team governor Patrick Dumont is the chairman of Las Vegas Sands, which owns 259 acres in Irving. Irving is actually a little closer to downtown than Valley View even though it’s technically not in Dallas, Townsend notes.

The Mavs have been in downtown Dallas for the past 46 years.