Mavericks select Valley View for new arena, entertainment district

The Dallas Mavericks have selected the Valley View site in North Dallas for their planned multi-billion-dollar arena and entertainment district, a decision that could reshape the city’s sports and entertainment landscape for decades. 

The announcement follows more than a year of site evaluations and negotiations, with team officials ultimately choosing Valley View over a proposed downtown location that had strong backing from city leaders and business groups.

Team representatives said the decision aligns with their goal of remaining within Dallas city limits.

“The Valley View site meets most of the criteria established at the outset of our evaluation process,” the Mavericks said in a statement. “It is our goal to stay in the City of Dallas, and this is our best option to do so.”

The move is widely viewed as a significant setback for downtown redevelopment efforts, including proposals to place the arena near the current Dallas City Hall site. City officials spent months advocating for a central location to serve as a catalyst for economic growth.

According to a person familiar with the negotiations, the Valley View decision is final. Mavericks CEO Rick Welts personally informed Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert of the outcome on Monday.

While the terms of the purchase option agreements were not disclosed, officials indicated that the agreements serve as standard safeguards while the project proceeds through zoning and approval processes. The Mavericks are expected to submit zoning applications in the near future.

The development is expected to require at least 50 acres and will center on a new basketball arena intended to replace the team’s current home at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks’ lease at that facility expires July 28, 2031, a timeline that sources said heavily influenced the final decision.

The team had previously delayed its site selection deadline from late 2025 to mid-2026, ultimately setting a July 1 cutoff. The Valley View agreements were finalized just weeks ahead of that deadline.

Although the team emphasized its commitment to Dallas, alternative options remain in play long-term. The Mavericks' governor, Patrick Dumont, is also chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, which owns hundreds of acres in nearby Irving following a series of land acquisitions.

For now, however, the Mavericks are focused on advancing plans in Dallas, with Valley View positioned as the future home of a project expected to transform the region’s entertainment and economic landscape.