Speculation abounded Wednesday about the destination of the NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, after owner Mark Cuban confirmed he would sell a majority stake in the team.
Cuban and the new owners said they have no plans to move the team from Dallas.
But Cuban told NBC5's Newy Scruggs that the sale will help advance plans to move the team from American Airlines Center to a new venue.
And Cuba has been pushing the idea of a new stadium connected to a casino for years.
The Mavs' buyer is Miriam Adelson and her Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which has lobbied the state of Texas to approve casino gambling, so far without success.
Dallas City Councilmember Zarin Gracie said if a new arena is built, it should be located adjacent to the planned new Dallas Convention Center.
“Developing a convention center is one thing in and of itself. Add in the possibility of relocating the Mavericks downtown and the casino in that area, and this is definitely something that really brings people from many countries to one It could be a destination for people to have fun in the area,” Gracie said.
Zarin Gracie is the chair of the City Council's Professional Sports Retention and Recruitment Committee, created by Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.
“I think together we can come up with a smart way to make a deal like this happen in a way that benefits the entire city of Dallas,” Gracie said.
Voters approved a new Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center to be built near Interstate 30 in November 2022 and a funding method to pay for it through hotel and visitor taxes.
In September of this year, the Dallas City Council approved a contract with renowned developer Jack Matthews' firm to complete the design and construction of a new convention center.
Early renderings show the structure being reoriented to make more land available for new development where the old convention center building previously stood.
“Potentially adding a casino and basketball arena is just a great opportunity,” Gracie said. “It will change the landscape of downtown Dallas.”
Dallas officials also say they want to build new housing in the downtown convention center area. A new deck park over Interstate 30 that connects with the Cedars District is also part of the convention center plan.
While it's good for that area of Dallas, it might not be so good for the area around American Airlines Center if Mavericks games are no longer played there.
When nothing is going on at AAC, the Mesero restaurant down the street is very slow.
“Right now it's like lunchtime, so it's very slow. But when there's a game, it gets really crowded, like a lot of people,” said Monica Sanchez, a hostess at Mesero.
Other real estate could also impact the Mavericks.
Cuban also owns the Mavs' practice facility across Stemmons Freeway from the AAC, but that site is likely too small for a new arena or casino.
The Reunion Arena site has been mentioned in the past as a possible site for a casino if the Texas Legislature approves it. It is also close to the convention center and has direct access to rail transportation.
“It's going to be an interesting full circle if we see the Mavs get back there,” Gracie said.
Dallas Stars hockey and concerts could still be held in the AAC even if the Mavs leave.
“Yeah, but that's not enough,” Sanchez said. “We have a lot of employees and it would have a very negative impact on our family.”
Cuban will receive a $3.5 billion windfall from the sale of the team he bought for $285 million in 2000.
The Mavericks' lease at American Airlines Center expires in 2031.
Dallas Stars executives have said in the past that they intend to remain in the AAC.
