Mavericks Take Key Step Toward Potential New Casino, Arena in Irving

The Mavericks are one step closer to building a new casino and arena in Irving, Texas—though the team’s departure from Dallas is far from settled.

The Irving Zoning Commission approved a zoning change via a 5–4 vote Tuesday that turned a 1,001-acre development area near the former Texas Stadium site into a mixed-use development.

The zoning change must still be approved by the Irving City Council, which meets Thursday.

The Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which is owned by the Adelson family who purchased the Mavericks from Mark Cuban in 2023, expressed plans to build a resort on the land that would include an arena that would fit at least 15,000 people and a theater that would have at least 4,000 seats.

Casinos are still illegal in Texas, save for a handful of tribe-owned operations. Most forms of gambling, including sports betting, are also illegal, and it’s unclear whether there will be any legislative changes in the near future.

Mavs on the Move?

The arena plans in Irving present an option for the Mavericks to move out of Dallas, especially considering their lease at American Airlines Center ends in July 2031. However, Mavericks CEO Rick Welts told The Dallas Morning News last week that the team intends to stay in Dallas and wants to build its own arena.

“What we’re saying to the city is we want to exhaust every possible option in the city of Dallas before considering pivoting to another location in the Metroplex,” Welts told The DMN.

There have been conspiracy theories that the team is looking to move to Las Vegas, a favorite to be the home of the NBA’s next expansion team, following the shocking trade of superstar Luka Dončić in February. 

Team governor Patrick Dumont has shut down the rumors of a relocation, and Welts doubled down. Sands Corp. is based in Las Vegas but no longer operates any resorts in the city.