*Brad Townsend of* The Dallas Morning News *writes:*
Ethan Casson’s lengthy attainment list during a quarter-century in pro sports includes the successes of San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium and Minneapolis’ Target Center, but now he’s seizing what he believes is an even more momentous opportunity.
Big Moves in Big D: Ethan Casson Joins Mavericks as President
Ethan Casson, the former CEO of the Timberwolves, is officially the new President of the Dallas Mavericks — and it’s more than just a title shuffle.
Casson told The Dallas Morning News that two major reasons drew him to Dallas:
1. The opportunity to work with longtime mentor Rick Welts
2. Governor Patrick Dumont’s vision for a championship team and a game-changing new arena
“This is an owner focused on building a championship-caliber team for the long haul,” Casson said, “but also… one of the most transformative arenas and real estate development projects in the world — and for the city of Dallas and Mavs fans.”
Casson’s move came just days after the NBA approved the sale of the Timberwolves to Marc Lore and A-Rod. Under his leadership, Minnesota reached the Western Conference Finals twice and saw massive growth in ticket sales, sponsorships, and media engagement. He also ran the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx and the G League’s Iowa Wolves.
He’s stepping into a major role in Dallas, but Welts will continue to lead the new arena project, with Casson supporting. The AAC lease ends in 2031, and the team hopes to pick a new site by end of 2025.
Casson is no stranger to building stadiums:
• Led the $150M Target Center renovation
• Helped secure the naming rights for Levi’s Stadium and land Super Bowl 50 when he was with the 49ers
His NBA journey started with him cold-calling every team — literally faxing and calling teams alphabetically until the Timberwolves finally gave him a shot in 1999. Now, 25+ years later, he’s taking over one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.
“The Mavericks have one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in the NBA,” Casson said. “To be part of what’s next here is an extraordinary honor.”
Another Carpetbagger joins the front office…
Remember when Welts compared the Mavs trading Luka to the Warriors trading Monta Ellis tho? LOL. FOH!
The team is way more interested in property than winning. They’re turning into Nets South.
Whatever. Just stop fucking with the team and let em play ball. I like what we have right now as long as Nico doesn’t fucking ruin it.
Welcome to Dallas, Ethan.
I’m so tired of carpetbaggers joining the franchise and turning it into a ” sports & entertainment ” company (i.e gambling).
It’s not a basketball organization anymore. Cuban selling the team to the Adelsons really sullies his tenure as owner to me, much more than him messing up Dirk’s late career
No chance of selling the team now.
Thanks, Cuban. Your greed really fucked it all up.
10 comments
*Brad Townsend of* The Dallas Morning News *writes:*
Ethan Casson’s lengthy attainment list during a quarter-century in pro sports includes the successes of San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium and Minneapolis’ Target Center, but now he’s seizing what he believes is an even more momentous opportunity.
[Casson, 51, is coming to Dallas as the Mavericks’ president of business operations.](https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2025/07/29/ethan-casson-mavs-president-welts-arena/)
Fuck these guys man
Screw your paywall !
Big Moves in Big D: Ethan Casson Joins Mavericks as President
Ethan Casson, the former CEO of the Timberwolves, is officially the new President of the Dallas Mavericks — and it’s more than just a title shuffle.
Casson told The Dallas Morning News that two major reasons drew him to Dallas:
1. The opportunity to work with longtime mentor Rick Welts
2. Governor Patrick Dumont’s vision for a championship team and a game-changing new arena
“This is an owner focused on building a championship-caliber team for the long haul,” Casson said, “but also… one of the most transformative arenas and real estate development projects in the world — and for the city of Dallas and Mavs fans.”
Casson’s move came just days after the NBA approved the sale of the Timberwolves to Marc Lore and A-Rod. Under his leadership, Minnesota reached the Western Conference Finals twice and saw massive growth in ticket sales, sponsorships, and media engagement. He also ran the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx and the G League’s Iowa Wolves.
He’s stepping into a major role in Dallas, but Welts will continue to lead the new arena project, with Casson supporting. The AAC lease ends in 2031, and the team hopes to pick a new site by end of 2025.
Casson is no stranger to building stadiums:
• Led the $150M Target Center renovation
• Helped secure the naming rights for Levi’s Stadium and land Super Bowl 50 when he was with the 49ers
His NBA journey started with him cold-calling every team — literally faxing and calling teams alphabetically until the Timberwolves finally gave him a shot in 1999. Now, 25+ years later, he’s taking over one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises.
“The Mavericks have one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in the NBA,” Casson said. “To be part of what’s next here is an extraordinary honor.”
Another Carpetbagger joins the front office…
Remember when Welts compared the Mavs trading Luka to the Warriors trading Monta Ellis tho? LOL. FOH!
The team is way more interested in property than winning. They’re turning into Nets South.
Whatever. Just stop fucking with the team and let em play ball. I like what we have right now as long as Nico doesn’t fucking ruin it.
Welcome to Dallas, Ethan.
I’m so tired of carpetbaggers joining the franchise and turning it into a ” sports & entertainment ” company (i.e gambling).
It’s not a basketball organization anymore. Cuban selling the team to the Adelsons really sullies his tenure as owner to me, much more than him messing up Dirk’s late career
No chance of selling the team now.
Thanks, Cuban. Your greed really fucked it all up.