Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts said this morning that Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert first approached the Mavericks “over a year ago” about City Hall likely being an available site for the Mavericks’ new arena and entertainment district.
“City Manager Tolbert came to us and said, ‘Look, I’ve got to move out of City Hall. I can’t afford to operate what we do in that building going forward for the taxpayers,’” Welts said during a sports economic panel hosted by the Greater Dallas Planning Council.
“And we said, ‘OK, you know that doesn’t have anything to do with us, but at some point in time, you’ll tell us what’s available, and then we can sit down and have a conversation about it.’”
Tolbert didn’t immediately respond Friday to requests for comment from The Dallas Morning News.
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Welts’ disclosure comes after Dallas Morning News city columnist Robert Wilonsky asked Tolbert directly Monday who initiated discussions about City Hall being a potential location for the Mavericks’ new home.
Tolbert provided only a statement that read: “Since being named Interim Dallas City Manager and subsequently appointed to the permanent role, I have met with representatives of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars regarding their futures in Dallas. These discussions have included the teams’ need for a modern fan-friendly arena experience.
“Regarding discussions about the future of city hall, the Dallas City Council directed me to explore options, including the disposition of the City Hall site. It is our practice not to negotiate in the media.”
As the Dallas Mavericks’ pursuit of a new arena ramps up, Welts pledged to build the best NBA arena in history and reaffirmed that the franchise will do everything possible to build its new home in Dallas.
“Dallas is what’s really important,” Welts said during the hour-long panel, which also included Dallas Wings CEO and managing partner Greg Bibb and took place at Park City Club. “Take away anything from today, our commitment is to do everything in our power to build this in Dallas.”
The Mavericks plan to move into a new arena when their lease with the American Airlines Center expires in 2031. They have narrowed their focus for the new arena to two locations: the 110-acre former home of Valley View and downtown Dallas.
“It’s not up to us to decide whether City Hall is available or not,” Welts said. “It definitely would inform the design … But we’re waiting for the city. It’s up to the city to decide what’s in the best interest of Dallas taxpayers going forward in terms of the future that building. And we’ll proceed off of that.”
Recent City Council vote “a big step”
To date, Welts characterized discussions with the city as “incredibly productive.” And Welts said the Dallas City Council’s 9-6 vote on March 5 to approve a resolution to explore options for leaving City Hall was “very important for us.”
He explained that the vote enables the Mavericks and City to formally discuss what the Mavericks’ 50-acre entertainment district and arena could look like in the downtown footprint if the city ultimately opts to move operations out of the 47-year-old I.M. Pei-designed building.
“We are now, for the first time, able to actually enter in discussions about what a framework of a deal would look like,” Welts said. “So that was a big step, a big step in the process. We’re on the clock.”
Welts explained the timeline to open a new arena in 2031, saying some 30 months of construction needs to begin in late 2028. They expect to announce the site of the new arena by July 1.
The arena will operate some 175 days a year with a variety of events, particularly entertainment and basketball games. Welts expects it to be a prime venue to host NCAA Tournament regionals and potentially the women’s Final Four.
Welts also outlined his vision for the 50-acre entertainment district. It will include the team’s corporate headquarters, practice facility, restaurants, retail, a 4-star hotel adjacent to the arena and a potential 4,000-to-5,000-seat entertainment venue, with Live Nation already expressing interest in building that.
The Mavericks’ current partnership with UT Southwestern, the team’s official medical provider, also could expand to the academic medical center partnering in the future training facility and medical complex.
“We’re looking to have it anchored by the best NBA facility that’s ever been created …,” Welts said. “To create a facility that will hopefully set a new bar for fan experience as well as player experience.”