Mavericks' CEO announces massive decision on leaving $218M homecourt after Anthony Davis' return

Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts made a key announcement on leaving the $218M American Airlines Center. This comes after the team's superstar Anthony Davis suited up against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this week, following a lengthy injury hiatus.

Per Mavs reporter Nich Angstadt on X (formerly Twitter), Welts had made his decision clear about the team moving to their new arena.

Mavs CEO Rick Welts on the Mavericks' new arena "We need to be in a new arena for the 2031-32 season... We're on the clock."

The American Airlines Center has been in use since 2001, and has been home to the Mavs since. However, the team's lease on the area runs out in 2031, and it appears that Welts wants the organization to move somewhere elsewhere. The AAC also serves as home to the Dallas Stars of the NHL. That he made the announcement also comes amid the team's plans to build around their 'Big 3' of Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson.

Dallas have played in the NBA Finals thrice during their time at the American Airlines Center. The AAC hosted the 2006 and 2011 series in the Mavericks split against the Dwyane Wade-led Miami Heat, and also was one of the venues for the 2024 championship between the Mavs and the Boston Celtics.

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Dallas Mavericks are still struggling to find a playoff berth as the regular season inches to a close

The Dallas Mavericks have seen rough days. With the ill-timed Luka Doncic trade, injuries to key players, and a lack of depth and personnel on both ends of the floor, the side has struggled, and if the playoffs were today, they would be giving their exit interviews already.

The team sits 11th in the West with a 35-38 record, and with 11 games left in the season, they find themselves in a situation to virtually win every game and hope a few results go their way. Only time will tell if they can bag a play-in spot in the games to come.