Mavericks’ site for new arena would turn downtown Dallas into a ghost town
Until ground is broken, and at least some concrete is flowing, take these sorts of headlines with a double shot of Hesitation but what the Mavericks announced could mean dark days are ahead for downtown Dallas.
In a statement released by the Mavs on Monday afternoon, the team said “After seriously studying and considering several options, while working closely with the City of Dallas to identify possible locations for a new Dallas Mavericks arena and entertainment district, the Mavericks organization has entered into option agreements for the potential purchase of approximately 104 acres at the former Valley View Mall site.”
If you are not sure where the “former Valley View Mall site” is located, it’s not in downtown Dallas.
Both the Mavericks and Dallas Stars have stated their intentions to leave the American Airlines Center after their respective leases end with the facility in the spring of 2032. If they both leave, it would turn downtown Dallas into an evacuation site almost every night at 5 p.m.
Why the Mavericks want this location
The Mavs’ preferred new pad is on the “corners” of Preston Road and 635/LBJ Freeway in North Dallas. The site is 11.8 miles north of the American Airlines Center. That could be a 15-minute drive. Or a 35-minute drive.
Since we’re on the subject of hellish traffic - it’s 2026. We have cars that drive themselves. We have a pill that will make us skinny while eating a box of jelly donuts. And yet we still can’t teleport.
“The Valley View site meets most of the criteria established at the outset of our evaluation process. It is our goal to stay in the City of Dallas, and we believe this site provides the strongest opportunity to achieve that goal,” the Mavericks said.
“Most”
“We have the opportunity to create a vibrant mixed-use destination anchored by a state-of-the-art arena, along with restaurants, entertainment options, public green spaces and family-friendly experiences. Done thoughtfully and with community engagement, a project of this scale will serve as a meaningful economic catalyst for Dallas and its residents.”
This does not mean it’s done. This does mean it’s close.
This process began more than a year ago, and the conversations between the team and the city went through a series of proposals. The Mavericks did not want to leave Dallas. There was some thought that the team would move to the site of the old Texas Stadium in Irving, but the team made it clear that was not a priority.
The “best” chance to remain in downtown Dallas was where its city hall is located, but that move was loaded with issues, drama and controversy.
The Mavs’ priority is enough land to build a destination arena, similar to something that you might see in Las Vegas; a hotel/arena/shopping/restaurants.
Downtown Dallas’ future without the Stars or Mavericks
The Stars have reportedly been in talks to announce a new arena project in Plano, which could come as early as this month. The proposed site the former Shops at Willow Bend, which is 7.9 miles due north of the Mavericks’ arena location.
Sensing what this could do to downtown Dallas, the city’s manager as well as a few others have been aggressively trying to keep the Stars with a recruiting pitch. Doubtful it will work, but Dallas has to try.
With the collapse of the once lucrative regional cable sports model, teams such as the Stars need to find new revenue streams and real estate is a proven route.
If those teams leave, the AAC would be tenantless. It would be an entertainment arena located in Victory Plaza. The AAC would be competing for the same acts and shows that will be recruited by the new arenas for the Stars and Mavericks, not to mention Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field and the rest.
If the Stars leave Dallas for Plano, it would leave the Wings of the WNBA as the only constant show in downtown Dallas. The Wings are scheduled to move from the College Park Center on the campus of Texas-Arlington for Dallas after this season; they are supposed to have a permanent home at the “eventually” refurbished Dallas Memorial Auditorium, which is part of the $2 billion renovation to the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center.
The AAC and the Dallas Memorial Auditorium are only 1.4 miles away; but that’s a long 1.4 miles.
And as much growth as the WNBA is enjoying, it’s not going to draw a crowd like an NHL, or NBA, playoff game.
Dallas city leaders can boast they aren’t losing the Mavericks, but this announcement will have a lasting impact on the look, feel and value of its downtown.
