T
he Dallas Mavericks are seeking a new home, but it's unclear whether they'll stay within the city limits or relocate to a different area. City leaders and the team have remained tight-lipped about potential sites to avoid driving up costs. Irving is making a strong case to lure the Mavs away with its 200-acre site near Texas Stadium, owned by Las Vegas Sands Corp.-affiliated companies.
However, Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont's connection to the company hasn't deterred CEO Rick Welts from stating that the team is focused on building an arena in Dallas. Talks between city leaders and the franchise have intensified, with a goal of identifying and securing a 30- to 50-acre site within the next 12 months.
Developers, landowners, and commercial real estate experts have identified several potential sites for the Mavs' new arena. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is one possibility, with its proximity to public transportation and a planned high-speed rail line making it an attractive option. A $3.7 billion renovation of the convention center could open up large parcels suitable for the arena.
Another site being considered is the old Valley View mall, which has been vacant since a promised $2 billion mixed-use development failed to materialize. The 110-acre site is up for sale, with an asking price of nearly $383 million. While it's far removed from downtown, bus routes could still bring fans to the stadium.
Dallas County Commissioner Andrew Sommerman expressed openness to selling the Lew Sterrett Justice Center site to Las Vegas Sands Corp., which could be a potential location for the new arena. However, the county would need to secure the land and determine if a new criminal justice facility would be operational before the Mavs' current lease expires in 2031.
John Zogg, the real estate brains behind Klyde Warren Park, emphasized that the new Mavs arena must be downtown, with easy access to amenities and public transportation. Trinity Groves is another area being considered, with a roughly 50-acre site available for development near the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.
Irving remains an option if money is the primary concern, according to Dallas developer Ray Washburne. The city has paved the way for a mixed-use development on the former Texas Stadium site, which could be suitable for the Mavs' new arena. However, casino gaming language was removed from the request, and such gambling is not yet legal in Texas.
The deciding factor will be the checklist that Mavericks ownership has for its new arena, which remains mostly under wraps. The NBA also has its own set of requirements, and the team's decision matrix will dictate the site selection process.
