Mavericks CEO Rick Welts discusses downtown Dallas arena plans, GM search

Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said Tuesday that discussions with lawmakers about a potential new downtown arena site can now move forward as the franchise faces a self-imposed July deadline to decide where it will build its next home.

Welts, speaking alongside Mavericks President Ethan Casson during a lunch with Dallas area media, also sought to clarify remarks he made last week about Dallas City Hall possibly becoming part of the team’s long-term arena plans.

“We were discussing a variety of potential sites for a future Mavericks’ arena,” Welts said. “And in that conversation, she told me that it could cost hundreds of millions of dollars to renovate City Hall, and it could be that the city would have to consider moving out of City Hall. That really was the summation of our conversation.”

The Mavericks plan to leave the American Airlines Center in 2031, when their lease expires, and are pursuing a basketball-only arena surrounded by a large entertainment district. Dallas shares the AAC with the NHL’s Dallas Stars. There’s been a messy legal battle between the Stars and Mavericks.

The team has narrowed its search to a downtown Dallas site and reportedly the former Valley View property in North Dallas.

The downtown option gained momentum earlier this month when the Dallas City Council voted 9-6 to explore whether the city should move out of its aging City Hall building, a 47-year-old structure designed by I.M. Pei. 

Welts said that vote opened the door for more formal discussions between the franchise and city officials.

“We have the ability now to talk to the city about a potential framework of a deal,” He said. “That’s something we hadn’t been able to talk to the city about before. That process is ongoing.

Welts said the team’s timeline is becoming increasingly tight if the Mavericks want their new arena ready for the 2031-32 NBA season. He said a decision beyond July would begin creating significant pressure on that schedule.

“We are on the clock,” Welts said.

Welts added that the city’s process for deciding whether to renovate or vacate City Hall remains outside the Mavericks’ control.

“I don’t know [the city’s timeline]. They haven’t laid out a timeline that I have seen,” Welts said.

Welts’ original comments last week about City Hall drew criticism from some Dallas City Council members, who said his description of prior conversations with City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert suggested the future of the building had already been decided.

The Mavericks envision a project far larger than just an arena. Welts said the franchise needs at least 50 acres to build what it believes could become one of the most ambitious sports-related developments in the country.

“I think what we’re envisioning is one of the biggest sports developments that’s ever taken place,” Welts said. “Over 50 acres. We’re talking hotels. We’re talking retail. We’re talking a new arena. A new practice facility. Wherever this is built, it spurns additional development in that area. And that’s a real benefit. We are super excited about downtown. We are on the clock. I think that’s going to be our biggest challenge at this point. We will know by July where we’re going to be.”

Welts, a Basketball Hall of Famer who previously helped oversee the development of the Chase Center during his tenure with the Golden State Warriors, said that experience has shaped the urgency around the Mavericks’ timeline. Chase Center took seven years to complete before opening in 2019.

The Mavericks hired Welts to lead the organization’s arena efforts after governor Patrick Dumont convinced him to come out of retirement. Welts’ first day on the job in Dallas was Jan. 1, 2025.

He also addressed the broader state of the franchise, which has undergone major changes over the past year. The Mavericks traded Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025 in a deal centered around Anthony Davis. They then moved Davis to Washington February 2026 as part of a roster reset built around rookie Cooper Flagg.

Welts said he remains convinced the franchise is positioned for long-term success.

“I hope Cooper Flagg is MVP of the NBA Finals, and we have a banner hanging in the arena,” Welts said. “Every reason that I chose here out of retirement, every one of those reasons still exist today. This franchise should stand toe to toe not just with any franchise in the NBA but any franchise in sports. We have the ability to recruit talent here. A growing community unlike any in the country. A business-friendly environment that allows organizations like us to do well while doing good.”

Welts also said the Mavericks are continuing their search for a permanent head of basketball operations, with Dumont overseeing the process. The team hopes to make a decision before the NBA draft in June. Since former general manager Nico Harrison was fired in November 2025, Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley have served as co-interim general managers.

“There’s no specific set of characteristics,” Welts said. “I can tell you there is a variety of candidates who present a variety of different personalities. Different track records. It’s the most important decision that the organization is going to make for the coming seasons. So we are going to take our time and get it right.”