Dallas Mavericks CEO, Rick Welts, has said the NBA franchise’s focus is on developing a basketball-dedicated arena, as opposed to the team’s current status at American Airlines Center.

The Mavericks have shared American Airlines Center with NHL ice hockey team the Dallas Stars since the venue opened in 2001, but are keen to develop a home of their own. The target is to deliver this before 2031, when the team’s lease deal at American Airlines Center expires.

In February, the City of Irving was reported to have taken its first step towards potentially building a new arena that could house the Mavericks with a 182-acre plot of land identified near to where Texas Stadium used to be located.

The land is majority-owned by an entity linked to Las Vegas Sands Corp, a casino and resort company whose majority shareholder is Miriam Adelson – who acquired a controlling stake in the Mavericks at the start of 2024.

Irving was not referenced as Welts discussed the latest on the Mavericks’ arena plans on the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything program. “We’re going to build a brand new arena and entertainment district in Dallas to really take us into the next 30 years of our history,” he said.

“It’s owned by Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the Adelson family. They build amazing, beautiful projects in Asia, … and we’re going to do that in Dallas.”

Welts was hired as the Mavericks’ new CEO in December having previously worked on the delivery of Chase Center during his time as president and chief operating officer of the Golden State Warriors. He outlined that the team’s arena future will not include the Stars. “We’ve made the decision not to build it as a hockey facility,” he said.

“If you’re building around a basketball floor versus building around a hockey rink, you’re able to create a much better viewing experience for basketball fans. (It’s) closer with better sidelines. You don’t have to make the compromises, especially at the ends of the court, that you have to if you’re going to try to accommodate both NBA basketball and hockey.”

Welts has previously suggested that the site selection process is in its early stages, with a decision expected before the end of the year. “We have had sites suggested by the city, but we’re by no means close,” he added.

“We’ve asked them to take a look at some additional sites, and the process is going to go on, I would guess, for months. But, no, we’re not like on the 10-yard line.”