Mavericks sign deal for 104‑acre North Dallas arena

The Dallas Mavericks have taken a significant step toward leaving downtown Dallas, announcing a preliminary agreement for a new arena and entertainment district on a 104-acre site in North Dallas. The team said Monday it has entered into option agreements for the potential purchase of the former Valley View Mall property, located approximately 10 to 13 miles north of the city center.

The move, if finalized, would end the franchise's 46-year tenure in downtown Dallas when its lease at the American Airlines Center expires in July 2031. The organization stated that after analyzing several locations, the Valley View site met most of its established criteria and represents the strongest opportunity to keep the team within the city limits of Dallas. The team had also considered a downtown site at the current City Hall location.

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts, who was hired to lead the arena project, informed city officials of the decision. The team has emphasized that a final site selection was needed this summer to have a new arena ready for the 2031-32 season. In a statement, the Mavericks outlined a vision for a mixed-use destination anchored by a state-of-the-art arena, featuring...