Dallas Mavericks shoot down rumors of move to Las Vegas
The Dallas Mavericks have no plans to relocate to Las Vegas after the team’s blockbuster trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
After Saturday’s trade of Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and other pieces, rumors swirled regarding the swap possibly being made as a step toward the Mavs relocating from Dallas to Las Vegas.
Similar chatter began in 2023, when the families of Las Vegas Sands Corp. majority shareholder Dr. Miriam Adelson and Sands President and Chief Operating Officer Patrick Dumont purchased a majority ownership stake of the Mavericks from Mark Cuban.
But the team reiterated Tuesday that it is committed to Dallas.
“The Adelson and Dumont families have already started and are committed to investing and building in Dallas/Fort Worth,” the Mavericks said in a statement to the Review-Journal. “The families have absolutely no plans to move the team out of North Texas.”
That message was relayed to Mavericks staff Monday by General Manager Nico Harrison during a conference call.
Investment in Texas
The Adelson and Dumont families own 70 percent of the Mavericks. Cuban still owns 27 percent.
In the transaction, the Adelson and Dumont families also purchased real estate located on a dozen acres in downtown Dallas, where the Mavericks’ practice facility is located.
In 2023, Las Vegas Sands acquired 108 acres in Irving, Texas, near where the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers play in Arlington. The site is large enough for an integrated resort-casino and a new arena.
Las Vegas Sands has lobbied Texas lawmakers for years to legalize casino gambling in the Lone Star State. The matter is expected to be considered again during this year’s legislative session.
NBA eyeing Vegas
NBA expansion to Las Vegas has been a hot topic for several years, with multiple arena projects discussed.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said the league is eyeing Las Vegas as a potential expansion site. The league is expected to look at new markets this year, Silver said in December before the NBA Cup championship game at T-Mobile Arena.
Silver said the NBA will form an expansion committee, which also would evaluate the potential relocation of teams. He said he wasn’t aware of an existing franchise looking to move.
“There’s a process outlined in the NBA constitution for teams to apply to the league, in respects to their partners, that they have the desire to relocate,” Silver said.
The Review-Journal is owned by the Adelson and Dumont families.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
