The Dallas Mavericks have narrowed their search for a new arena to two sites within Dallas city limits, with a decision expected by July and a planned opening in 2031.
The announcement, reported on Tuesday, marks a critical step for the franchise as it seeks to leave the American Airlines Center amid ongoing litigation with co-tenant the Dallas Stars, as previously reported on by The Dallas Express.
One potential location sits downtown, though the exact spot remains undisclosed. Dallas City Hall’s current site represents one possibility, pending the city’s decision on demolishing the iconic structure.
The second option encompasses 110 acres where Valley View Mall once stood at Preston Road and I-635. The expansive site would accommodate the entertainment district the team envisions surrounding its new home.
Mavericks CEO Rick Welts told The Dallas Morning News the timeline has shifted from an initial March target.
“But a lot of that is out of our control, out of the city’s control. I’ve been out there saying first quarter [of the year] before. We are not going to make first quarter. Another two or three months after that,” Welts said.
The 2031 opening date drives urgency despite seeming distant. The Mavericks’ lease on the American Airlines Center extends through 2031.
“We want to open in 2031. That means we’re on the clock. Sounds like a long time, but for a 50-acre mixed-use entertainment district, an arena, public gathering places, we’re on the clock,” Welts explained, per DMN.