Gaming executive and governor of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, Patrick Dumont, says the team’s planned new arena in North Dallas will proceed separately from any future casino resort, moving away from an earlier vision of placing both developments together.

Dumont, who also serves as chief executive of Las Vegas Sands, said the former Valley View Mall site does not provide enough room for the type of arena and integrated resort originally considered.

“To build what we want to build, there is not enough space. They won’t fit,” Dumont reportedly told The Athletic.

The Mavericks are pursuing a sports and entertainment district on approximately 112 acres near Preston Road and Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. The team began the rezoning process in September and is targeting the 2031-32 NBA season for the new arena.

“I think a lot of people think, ‘Gee, if you build a home for the Mavs, won’t you build a casino next to it?’” Dumont said. “The answer is, ‘No.’ To build what we want to build, there is not enough space. They won’t fit. And they are on a different timeline anyway.”

Valley View Remains the Preferred Arena Site

Entities connected with the Mavericks already control more than 100 acres around the former mall property, which was demolished in 2023.

A federal filing disclosed option-purchase agreements giving the team until January 2028 to complete the land acquisition. The Mavericks are paying $126,900 per month through January 2027 for the option, increasing to $274,950 per month through January 2028.

Arena Development Intermediate LLC, a Mavericks subsidiary overseeing the deal, would pay about $51 million for the site under the agreement.

The proposed district is expected to include additional development around the arena. Plans have referenced a high-end hotel and a smaller entertainment venue.

Dumont said keeping the franchise in Dallas remains the priority.

“The most important thing is that the Dallas Mavericks are going to stay in the city of Dallas,” Dumont said. “That is our goal. That is what we want to have happen. But we just need a new home. We need a home for the next 40 years that can really represent our city. Be Texas big. And have the ability to show our fans the top level of experience that we can have at an NBA-only arena.”

The Mavericks’ lease at American Airlines Center expires in 2031. The Dallas Stars, which share the venue, have announced separate plans for a sports and entertainment district in Plano.

Casino Development Depends on Texas Law

The Adelson and Dumont families remain interested in bringing casino gaming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but that effort depends on changes to Texas law.

Dr. Miriam Adelson, Dumont’s mother-in-law and Las Vegas Sands’ largest individual shareholder, acquired a nearly 70% stake in the Mavericks in 2023. Former majority owner Mark Cuban had previously spoken about combining a future arena with a destination casino resort.

Dumont now expects the two projects to follow separate paths.

“It was my dream to do both next to each other. … We are going to have to think about the two separately, which is OK,” stated Dumont.

Las Vegas Sands and Adelson have continued supporting political efforts aimed at legalizing destination casinos in Texas. Those efforts have yet to result in a statewide vote.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick remains opposed to broader gambling expansion and has significant influence over the Texas Senate agenda, making near-term casino legislation difficult.

Downtown Debate Continues

Although the Mavericks are moving ahead with Valley View, some Dallas business figures continue to push for a downtown solution.

Developer Ray Washburne has criticized the North Dallas site, citing concerns about public transportation and surrounding density. He has argued that keeping the Mavericks and Stars closer to downtown could provide greater economic benefits.

The team had also previously been linked to the current Dallas City Hall site at 1500 Marilla Street while city officials considered options for the building’s future.

Ownership issues have added another layer to the arena discussion. Cuban retains a 27% minority stake in the Mavericks and previously sought more information about the Valley View transaction through a court petition. His legal team withdrew that action in August.

Dumont reportedly told The Athletic that he considers Cuban a “great family friend” and “the most passionate Mavs fan I’ve ever met.”

He also said the ownership group may exercise an option to acquire another 20% of Cuban’s remaining stake before the end of 2027.

“We will look to do that,” Dumont said. “Our plan is to look to do that over time.”

For now, the Mavericks are advancing the Valley View arena as a standalone sports and entertainment project. Any future casino resort would require a separate site and legislative changes before it could move forward.