Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts reiterated that there are no plans for the team's new arena to be attached to a casino.
Texas politics are a topic of conversation ahead of major voting races this fall, and among the many policies set to potentially impact the future of the Lone Star State, one may have direct relation to the Dallas Mavericks.
It's one that new owners, billionaire casino mogul Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law, Mavs governor Patrick Dumont, have been rallying for for years now: legalized gambling.
To not many people's surprise, however, the Texas government has shown little traction in helping give the Mavs' owners what they've dreamt of: the opportunity to build a new basketball-only arena that is attached to a casino and resort, a la the Las Vegas Sands Corp. properties around the world that Dumont runs.
Mavericks CEO, Hall of Famer Rick Welts, is spearheading the team's plans for a new arena amid its legal battle with the local NHL team Dallas Stars over the aging, yet still habitable American Airlines Center.
When pressed for an update on the status of the Mavs' eventual new home, and the likelihood that it includes gambling elements the team has shown interest in, Welts' response mirrors what the government has suggested when it comes to legalization.
"No, our plans will stay consistent with no casino component," Welts said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News.
"There's absolutely no plans whatsoever for any traditional gaming element in this," he added.
The organization's plans do involve constructing a "new entertainment district, including a new arena, corporate headquarters, practice facility, hotel, retail and dining."
This point about a gaming element has been mentioned by the Mavericks before, after having gauged the likelihood of legislation in favor of legalized gambling. Dumont has said that the development has "moved slower than he'd hoped."
Another factor into a potential move is whether the Mavs can find a place within Dallas city limits to move to. The team has stated with urgency that it does not want to be the Dallas Mavericks without residing in the city of Dallas, like the city's NFL and MLB counterparts.
For Dumont, that focus is on staying true to the Mavs' roots. The team has been in the Downtown Dallas area for its entire 46-year existence.
Sports Business Journal cited that Dumont labels his opportunity to fight for gambling legalization as " his shot at a legacy - the chance to make his mark on a city and an industry," though the Mavs owner has admitted that the legalization and new arena agendas are "now proceeding on separate timelines."
"This is something that we have a very long-term view on," Dumont said. "And you know, we have a desire to create as much value as we can for our shareholders. … So, I think it's our duty to keep trying."
"If it happens to connect, great. If it doesn’t, so be it."
This process is forcing the Mavericks to learn that the true sense of "legacy" is in keeping the team inside the city of Dallas.
Welts' comments reiterate that focus. Now the clock ticks toward the team's "self-imposed" July 1 deadline on nailing down a Dallas location for the new arena.
