DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are considering Dallas City Hall as a potential site for a new basketball arena, adding a new chapter to ongoing discussions about the future home as their lease at the American Airlines Center will expire in 2031.

Mavericks CEO Rick Welts recently confirmed the team’s interest in the City Hall site during a North Dallas Chamber of Commerce meeting.

“I’d love for the Mavs to stay in Dallas,” said Christopher Kratovil, an attorney who works for Dykema in downtown Dallas.

With the Dallas Stars reportedly exploring a potential move to Plano, some residents and stakeholders say keeping the Mavericks within city limits is increasingly important.

“That would leave Dallas as the largest city in the country that doesn’t have a professional sports team playing within its municipal borders – that would be unfortunate. So, the Mavs are kinda of the city of Dallas’s last hope,” Kratovil said.

Still, the question of where the team will ultimately build remains unresolved.

The Adelson family, which owns the Mavericks and controls Las Vegas Sands Corp., also owns roughly 100 acres in Irving and has expressed interest in developing a resort destination there while lobbying Texas lawmakers to legalize gambling.

Another possible site is the former Valley View Center property in North Dallas, which some say offers more space for development.

“The Mavs say they need 50 to do the project the way they want to do it. I don’t know how they can get a 50-acre site when the City Hall site is only 12 acres. Valley View, on the other hand, is more than large enough,” said Kratovil. 

The City Hall proposal comes as Dallas officials debate the future of the nearly 50-year-old building, designed by architect I. M. Pei. The city estimates it could cost more than $1 billion to remain in the building because of needed repairs, prompting consideration of a potential move.

“I question why council is trying to move on this so quickly,” one Dallas resident said in a March City Council meeting. 

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson did not respond to a request for comment but previously wrote in an op-ed: “The fact is that no matter where the team’s next arena is built, it will create economic value and vibrancy.”

“I’m supportive of the Mavs making downtown Dallas their home. In an ideal world, I’d like to see them do that without tearing down City Hall,” Kratovil said.