The Dallas Mavericks have executed option agreements to purchase approximately 104 acres at the former Valley View Mall site in North Dallas, signaling a move away from downtown. This transition, confirmed Monday, ends a yearlong search for a new arena location and marks the first time in franchise history the team will play outside downtown.
The Shift to Valley View and the End of the Downtown Bid
For more than a year, the Mavericks organization evaluated potential sites to replace the American Airlines Center, which has served as the team’s home since 2001. The decision to secure land near the intersection of Preston Road and the LBJ Freeway effectively kills the momentum behind a proposed downtown arena, which had been linked to a potential redevelopment of the current Dallas City Hall site.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts personally informed City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert of the final decision on Monday. The team’s choice to relocate 13 miles north of their current epicenter comes as the franchise looks to secure a long-term venue before their current lease expires in 2031. While the team previously considered multiple locations, the Valley View site was ultimately selected because it met the specific criteria established during the team’s internal evaluation process.
Defining the Vision for a New Entertainment District
The Mavericks’ plans for the 104-acre property involve far more than just a basketball arena. The franchise intends to develop a comprehensive entertainment district, which WFAA reports will include a hotel, various restaurants, retail spaces, and public green areas. The project is being marketed as a “community anchor point” intended to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the area.
“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.”
Dallas Mavericks spokesperson, via WFAA
The Valley View site has a complex history. The mall ceased operations at the end of 2021, and the final structures were demolished in 2023 following multiple fires. Previous redevelopment efforts for the site, specifically an $85 million mixed-use project known as “Dallas Midtown,” had already broken ground. It remains unclear how the Mavericks’ arrival will integrate with or alter these existing plans.
Political Reaction and Future Infrastructure Hurdles
City leadership has maintained a diplomatic stance following the announcement. Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert released a joint statement emphasizing that the team remains committed to the city, despite the move away from the urban core. FOX 4 News reported that the move is viewed by some local officials as a vital opportunity to revitalize a long-vacant piece of land.
“Today, our city received great news that the Dallas Mavericks would remain in Dallas and will be relocating to the Valley View site. This is great news for many reasons. First and foremost, we get to keep our beloved Dallas Mavericks within our city limits, but we also get to develop a site that has been vacant for far too long in a location with economic development tools already in place to infuse money in southern Dallas in the Red Bird community.”
Dallas City Councilman Adam Bazaldua, via FOX 4 News
Despite the optimism expressed by some council members, the move to Far North Dallas faces logistical questions. Unlike the American Airlines Center, which benefits from robust public transit access, the Valley View location currently lacks train service. While DART buses serve the area, the absence of rail transit could complicate traffic management and accessibility for fans attending games and events.
The Path Ahead: Zoning and City Hall Implications
The execution of the option agreement is merely the first formal step in a long development timeline. The Mavericks are expected to submit zoning applications in the near future to accommodate the scale of the proposed entertainment district. Meanwhile, the city’s attention is shifting back to the future of the current downtown landscape. The Dallas City Council is scheduled to debate the costs associated with repairing or replacing the existing City Hall building, a process that has been under scrutiny for months.
For the Mavericks, the pressure to finalize the site is tied to the 2031 deadline. By securing the land now, the franchise gains the necessary runway to navigate the complex permitting and construction phases required for a modern, multi-billion-dollar sports facility. The organization has reiterated its goal of staying within Dallas city limits, a priority that team leadership described as clear from the beginning of their search. As the project moves from an option agreement to active development, the focus will now shift to community engagement and the technical requirements of transforming a former mall site into a regional destination.
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