The Mavericks on Thursday “moved toward what they say they hope will be a peaceful resolution in their legal dispute with the Stars” after earning what they termed significant pretrial legal victories, according to Brad Townsend of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Mavericks lead attorney Chip Babcock notified the Texas Business Court that the team is “dropping its damages claim” against the Stars for “tortious interference with contract” in its ongoing fight over American Airlines Center. The Mavericks said they are “taking this step as an important and proactive demonstration of good faith.” Townsend noted without the tortious interference claim, other “issues that remain for a potential trial include whether one side is liable for all legal fees.” The claim withdrawal comes exactly one week after Texas Business Court Judge Bill Whitehill’s order, which the Mavs “interpret to mean they have control of Center Operating Company,” which controls AAC, “until and unless a jury trial decides otherwise.” Whitehill also “denied the Stars’ five summary judgment motions and granted the Mavericks’ motions for declaratory judgment and affirmative defenses.” Townsend notes given Thursday’s development, it is “unclear whether the scheduled jury trial will still occur.” It “remains to be seen what becomes” of arena disbursements to both teams that have been held in escrow since October 2025, “how much of it would be distributed to the Stars, or how the Mavericks-Stars partnership as AAC tenants will work going forward.” Both teams have leases to remain at AAC through July 2031 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/9).
STAYING PUT: In Dallas, Eric Prisbell noted Mavericks CEO Rick Welts during a panel at the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s 72nd annual meeting on Thursday “reaffirmed the franchise’s commitment to remain” in the city. Welts said, “We love the idea of the downtown site.” When he said that the team is committed to staying in Dallas, the “crowd of a few hundred business leaders applauded.” Welts also “outlined his vision for the 50-acre entertainment district,” which will “include the team’s corporate headquarters, practice facility, restaurants, retail, a 4-star hotel adjacent to the arena and a potential 4,000- to 5,000-seat entertainment venue.” Prisbell noted that Live Nation is “already expressing interest in building that” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/9).
