Mavericks Plan a New Dallas Hub Before Lease Ends

The Dallas Mavericks are set to stay in the city as their lease at the American Airlines Center ends in 2031. During a recent panel, CEO Rick Welts said the team will not move away and wants to build a new arena in Dallas. Welts described plans that go beyond just a sports venue. A hotel will sit next to the arena, and the team’s headquarters and practice facility will move downtown. They also hope a medical partner will join, along with housing, shops and restaurants that stay open all year. The goal is to create a lively district that feels like home, not just a game day spot. The Mavericks are looking at two main sites. One is the Dallas City Hall area, and the other is a former mall in North Dallas. Welts has talked with city officials for over a year about the City Hall spot. He says they want a 50‑acre space that feels well planned and not just any patch of land.

The decision on whether City Hall can be used is up to the city, not the team. Mayor Eric Johnson has said the city still needs to decide whether to fix or replace City Hall. Fixing it could cost about $329 million, while a full rebuild might exceed $1 billion. Johnson told reporters that the city’s duty is to do what’s best for taxpayers, but no final choice has been made yet. The next council meeting is scheduled for late May. Welts told the panel that the Mavericks want to announce a new arena location by July. The city is aware of this deadline, which adds pressure but also motivation for the team to move fast. If approved, construction would last roughly 30 months and finish by the end of 2031. This timing matches the end of the current lease, so the team would be ready for a new home right when needed.

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