Mark B. Arnold

Mark is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and has developed a unique practice that integrates real estate, public-private partnerships, and public finance. He advises clients on public and private project development and financing, with particular experience in sports, recreation, and entertainment facilities; convention centers; hotels; and educational facilities. He also has extensive experience in structuring and implementing creative economic development solutions, such as governmental grants and loans, sales tax revenue financing, and tax abatements.

Mark has been actively involved in numerous high-profile stadium development projects, including every major stadium development in greater Houston. His work includes Minute Maid Park (now Daikin Park, MLB Astros), NRG Stadium (NFL Texans and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo), Toyota Center (NBA Rockets), Shell Energy Stadium (formerly BBVA Compass Stadium, MLS Dynamo), and the Houston SaberCats rugby venue. Across Texas, his experience also includes Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas, the home of the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros; HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas, the home of the primary minor league affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars; and Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas, the home of the G League affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets. His practice also spans coast-to-coast, representing the Las Vegas Stadium Authority in the development of Allegiant Stadium (NFL Raiders) and New York’s Empire State Development on the Belmont Park redevelopment (NHL New York Islanders), among other prominent projects. Mark has also represented the Maryland Stadium Authority in connection with lease extensions at Oriole Park at Camden Yards (MLB Baltimore Orioles) and M&T Bank Stadium (NFL Baltimore Ravens).

Beyond stadium work, Mark counsels clients on the leasing, acquisition, development, financing, and rehabilitation of hotels, multifamily projects, restaurant sites, and shopping centers that transform and sustain vibrant communities.

Additionally, Mark has served as Outside General Counsel to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority since its inception over 25 years ago, and the firm continues to advise the Authority on a variety of legal and strategic matters.

• Serves as outside general counsel to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority and has represented the Sports Authority on all major stadium and arena development transactions and financing/refinancings in the greater Houston, Texas area, including Daikin Park (MLB Houston Astros), NRG Stadium (NFL Houston Texans), Toyota Center (NBA Houston Rockets), and Shell Energy Stadium (MLS Houston Dynamo).
• Representing the Sports Authority Foundation (Houston, Texas) in its efforts to host seven matches and a fan festival as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including negotiations with FIFA, sponsors, donors, and contractors.
• Representing Clark County Stadium Authority, d/b/a the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, in the development of a $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat domed baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip to serve as the new home of the MLB Oakland A’s.
• Representing the NBA San Antonio Spurs in connection with the development of a new multi-purpose arena and entertainment district in downtown San Antonio, Texas.
• Representing the City of Denver, Colorado in connection with its efforts to develop and finance a new stadium for the NFL Denver Broncos.
• Representing Diamond Baseball Holdings in connection with the lease extension for a minor league baseball stadium in San Jose, California for the San Jose Giants, the Single-A affiliate of the MLB San Francisco Giants.
• Representing Diamond Baseball Holdings in connection with the lease extension for a minor league baseball stadium in Norfolk, Virginia for the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the MLB Baltimore Orioles.
• Representing Diamond Baseball Holdings in connection with the lease extension for a minor league baseball stadium in North Little Rock Arkansas for the Arkansas Travelers, the Double-A affiliate of the MLB Seattle Mariners.
• Representing Diamond Baseball Holdings in connection with the lease extension for a minor league baseball stadium in Altoona, Pennsylvania for the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates.
• Represented the City of Garland, Texas in the potential development of a US Soccer League stadium and training/headquarters complex in Garland, Texas.
• Represented the Maryland Stadium Authority in connection with a new lease with the NFL Baltimore Ravens for M&T Bank Stadium that will provide for at least $600 million in renovations to M&T Bank Stadium over four years.
• Represented the Maryland Stadium Authority in connection with the renegotiation and extension of the lease with the MLB Baltimore Orioles for Oriole Park at Camden Yards, under the terms of which the Orioles and the Stadium Authority will make up to $600 million in upgrades and renovations to Oriole Park.
• Represented the State of Maryland in its effort to retain the NFL Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland and transform the surrounding area into a vibrant mixed-use development.
• Represented The New York State Urban Development Corporation, d/b/a Empire State Development, in the development of a sports and entertainment destination at Belmont Park, including the 18,000-seat UBS Arena for the NHL New York Islanders, as well as other entertainment events, dining, retail, and entertainment uses with a “retail village” adjacent to the arena.
• Represented Clark County Stadium Authority, d/b/a the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, in the development of the $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat domed Allegiant Stadium to serve as the home of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders on all aspects of the financing, development, construction, and leasing of the stadium.
• Represented affiliates of Landry’s Inc./Fertitta Entertainment Inc. in connection with the acquisition of the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada; the acquisition of the Trump Marina Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey; the acquisition of the Isle of Capri Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi; the acquisition of the Golden Nugget Lake Charles Casino and Resort; the acquisition of the Wildwood Hotel and Casino in Cripple Creek, Colorado; and the acquisition of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Lake Tahoe located in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
• Represented an affiliate of Landry’s Inc./Fertitta Entertainment Inc. in the acquisition of the mixed-use luxury shopping and dining complex in Houston, Texas commonly known as The River Oaks District. The River Oaks District includes over 60 luxury retail brands such as Hermes, Cartier, Dior, and Dolce & Gabbana; upscale dining at Loch Bar, Le Colonial, and Steak 48; a high-end movie-theater concept; 279 luxury residential apartments; and 92,000 square feet of office space.
• Represented Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC in the acquisition, development, and financing of 150 acres for an 800,000-square-foot automated distribution and sales center and future corporate campus.
• Represented the City of Richmond, Virginia and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond in the negotiation of a Stadium Development Agreement for the construction of the new $110 million, 10,000-seat ballpark to be the new home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, a Double-A affiliate of the MLB San Francisco Giants. 
• Represented Diamond Baseball Holdings in connection with the lease and development of several minor league baseball stadiums, including the Hub City Spartanburgers (South Carolina), the High-A affiliate of the MLB Texas Rangers and the Columbus Clingstones (Georgia), the Double-A affiliate of the MLB Atlanta Braves.
• Represented the City of Sugar Land, Texas in connection with leasing and development of Constellation Field, the current home of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.
• Represented a subsidiary of Oak View Group in connection with a long-term lease and development agreement with the City of Baltimore, Maryland for the renovation and management of CFG Bank Arena, f/k/a Royal Farms Arena, in Baltimore, Maryland.
• Represented the City of Cedar Park, Texas in connection with the design, construction, and operation of the HEB Center, a special event center developed to house as its primary tenant the Texas Stars, an American Hockey League minor league ice hockey team affiliated with the NHL Dallas Stars.
• Represented the Houston SaberCats, one of seven Major League Rugby franchises in the US, in connection with the lease and development of a 3,500-seat stadium and two adjacent practice fields.
• Represented the developer in connection with the development of the Grand Hyatt Convention Center Hotel in San Antonio, Texas and the related Alteza Residential Condominiums.

• Profiled as one of the leading Project Finance (2025) and Real Estate (2010-2012, 2014-2015, 2018-2019) lawyers in the United States, Legal 500 United States
• Recognized as a Leader in Real Estate, Texas, Chambers USA, 2008-2025
• Who’s Who in Law, Real Estate, Houston Business Journal (2015)
• Profiled as one of “Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers” by ALM in Real Estate (2012)
• Recognized as a Best Lawyer for Public Finance Law and Real Estate Law, The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2025
• Selected as a Super Lawyer for Real Estate Law, Texas Monthly magazine, 2004-2020, 2023-2025
• Recognized as a Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters (published in Texas Monthly) (2004)

• Houston Real Estate Lawyers’ Council
• Houston Bar Association
• The Emery/Weiner School, President – Board of Trustees