The debate over a proposed downtown arena in Dallas
escalated as the Mavs "demanded" that the city choose one
team to build and run the project -- "preferably them,"
according to Todd Gillman of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Team
negotiator Tom Luce said the city must also choose whether
it wants a $1B megaproject "that could turn downtown around"
or, as the Stars "prefer," a more modest deal that includes
only a new arena. Luce, an attorney for both the Mavs and
Majority Owner Ross Perot Jr.'s company, Hillwood
Development Corp: "Somebody has to be in charge. Somebody
has to be accountable. ... We think it ought to be us."
Stars President Jim Lites called the Mavs desire that
Hillwood take over the project "pretty scary," and said the
Mavs are putting City Manager John Ware in an "impossible
spot" and that both teams should have "equal say in the
deal." Lites: "The city can't pick, because they won't have
our support. Half the risk is going to be ours. ... We want
to control our destiny to that extent." Stars Owner Tom
Hicks called Perot's vision of a $1B project, that includes
offices, shopping and homes a "pie-in-the-sky idea" that has
delayed" any new arena deal (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/21).
