Miriam Adelson's purchase of a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks from Mark Cuban sent shockwaves around the NBA. Many Mavs fans lamented the move, as Cuban is a legendary figure in both Mavericks and Dallas history.
The team's purchase also ignited conspiracy theories that have haunted the Mavericks since the 2023 sale. The Adelson family is a major player in the gambling and hotel industry. Patrick Dumont, the current Mavs Governor and Adelson's son-in-law, is the President of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, famous for building the Venetian Las Vegas resort.
Mavs fans feared that the change in ownership would lead to the franchise relocating to Las Vegas. The NBA has openly discussed expansion to Las Vegas, and the success seen by Vegas franchises in the NFL, NHL, MLB, and WNBA proves that Vegas is a prime destination for a sports franchise. If expansion is impossible, fans feared that ownership's Vegas ties would make the Mavs a likely team to relocate to Vegas.
The new Mavs leadership has given fans little reason to trust their decision-making, stoking the flames surrounding a possible relocation. The already infamous Luka Doncic trade was such a disaster that fans feared there was an ulterior motive for the move: to accelerate a move to Las Vegas.
Rumored preseason game adds fuel to relocation conspiracy theory
Yesterday, Marc Stein reported that the Mavericks will play a preseason game in Las Vegas against Doncic and the Lakers. The Mavs held training camp in Vegas last year and perhaps will again this year. Limiting preseason travel is considered advantageous to reduce fatigue and aid players in reaching peak condition. Mavs fans will also be excited to watch Doncic, making the decision to play the Lakers somewhat logical.
Whatever the motivation is for this game, the decision to schedule it now, in Las Vegas, and against the Lakers is indefensible. The Mavericks franchise is at rock bottom. A year after making an NBA Finals appearance, the roster is unrecognizable. Confidence in the front office is at an all-time low, given the countless mistakes made by the Dumont-era Mavs.
The organization has seemingly turned its back on its fans. Fans were removed from games for "Fire Nico" signs. Arena employees were instructed to limit the number of adults shown on the jumbotron, reducing the visibility of fans' ire. Dumont's promises to remain in Dallas ring particularly hollow after he broke his promise to keep Cuban in charge of basketball operations.
To be clear, the Mavs will almost certainly stay put in Dallas. The conspiracy theory has been denied by all parties, including Dumont, Cuban, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Furthermore, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation sold all of its Las Vegas properties in 2021, and the Mavs have publicly stated they plan to build a new arena by 2032, when the lease with the American Airlines Center expires.
Despite the indications showing a Vegas move is far-fetched, the theory shows an underlying problem Dumont faces: nobody trusts the Mavs organization. Moves like scheduling this rumored preseason game only add to the fans' mistrust. The Mavericks desperately need someone in touch with the fans, team, and community to salvage the organization's reputation.
As mistrust festers within the fanbase, it is increasingly clear Cuban should have remained in charge of basketball operations.
