During a Thursday work session, the Irving City Council is set to review zoning amendments that could play a role in attracting the Dallas Mavericks to relocate from Dallas to Irving.
The proposed zoning changes would impact a 182-acre property, with 108 acres linked to Las Vegas Sands Corp., a company associated with Miriam Adelson, the largest shareholder of the Mavericks. Her son-in-law, Patrick Dumont, serves as both the Mavericks’ governor and Sands Corp.’s COO.
According to Thursday’s council session packet, the changes would establish a high-intensity mixed-use zone, which could include “an arena with a minimum of 15,000 seats and/or an indoor theater with at least 4,000 seats.”
In addition to an arena, the tract may feature luxury hotels, spas, pools, and a resort destination, with the possibility of casino gaming if legalized under Texas law.
But could this move spell the end of the Mavericks’ long-standing presence in Dallas—or is it just a power play to gain leverage for a better deal? The battle for the Mavs’ future might just be getting started.
