Mark Cuban on Mavs' Future in Dallas: ‘We're Not Going Anywhere’

Dallas Mavericks fans can breathe a sigh of relief as minority team owner Mark Cuban has once again emphasized his commitment to keeping the franchise in Dallas. Speaking at a recent sports economics forum hosted by the Greater Dallas Planning Council , Cuban addressed the team's future as their lease at the American Airlines Center approaches its 2031 expiration date.

"We're not going anywhere," Cuban stated firmly during the forum. This declaration comes at a crucial time, as speculation about the team's future has been swirling since Cuban sold a majority stake in the franchise to casino magnate Miriam Adelson and her family last year. The Mavericks are also holding part of training camp in Las Vegas, some were worried that the team could move there.

While Cuban admits that the odds of the Mavs staying at the current 23-year-old American Airlines Center are "less than 50 percent," he envisions a new arena as part of an ambitious destination casino resort project. When pressed about keeping the team within Dallas city limits, Cuban said, "That's the goal. If something crazy happens, you never know, right? But the goal is definitely to stay within the city."

The billionaire entrepreneur praised Dallas' growth and "can-do attitude," citing these as key reasons for his commitment to the city.

"No one's leaving that, right?" Cuban said. "The reason we're growing is because people want to be here, and that just makes it so much different than almost any other city."

Cuban's vision for the future Mavs arena is tied to the legalization of gambling in Texas. He believes a casino resort "would be phenomenal for Texas" and make the state a top destination for travelers worldwide. The Adelson family, with their extensive experience in developing major casino destination resorts, are seen as key partners in this ambitious plan.

While several potential sites within Dallas have been mentioned, including areas near the downtown convention center and the former location of Reunion Arena, no specific location has been confirmed. Cuban emphasized that the goal is to keep the team within the city limits, although he left room for unforeseen circumstances.

Related: 'Europeans Are Coming' Dennis Schroder Claims

As for the timing of these developments, Cuban hinted at upcoming changes, saying, "You'll see a lot of enhancements to the American Airlines Center, and you'll start to see conversations at some point on what comes next."

Despite the challenges ahead, including the need for gambling legalization in Texas, it is great to hear Cuban's repeated assurances. While the exact future home of the Mavericks remains uncertain, it seems clear that the heart of the franchise will remain in Dallas for years to come.