Step into the ‘Shark Tank’ of NBA ownership with Mark Cuban
In 2000, Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks and immediately became one of the NBA’s most visible owners. He gave public opinions on trades and often found himself at odds with the league. During his 23-year run as majority owner, the team won a championship, traded stars, and embraced new ideas in sports business.
Although the record looks smooth in hindsight, it involved constant decisions made under public pressure and a willingness to absorb criticism.
Early Ownership Lessons and the Draft That Defined Them
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Gobierno CDMX
When Mark Cuban purchased the Mavericks in 2000, he brought confidence shaped by two major successes: MicroSolutions and Broadcast.com. He had turned both into lucrative ventures, and that track record made him believe he could apply the same approach to basketball. Almost immediately, he learned the differences between running a business and managing a sports franchise.
His decision to buy three first-round picks in the 2000 NBA Draft, now regarded as one of the weakest in league history, became a cautionary tale. Cuban later said that competitiveness and ego drove that move. Instead of boosting the team’s fortunes, it forced him to reassess his strategy. It marked the first significant adjustment of his tenure and shaped how he evaluated risk for the next two decades.
A Hands-On Presence Courtside and in the Boardroom
Cuban did not treat ownership as a passive investment, and this approach contrasted sharply with that of owners who preferred to stay behind the scenes.
In the early years, this led to issues with the NBA leadership, which resulted in him being fined multiple times for criticizing referees and league policies. As time passed, he refined his style without losing his voice. Cuban learned how to influence decisions within the league’s structure rather than simply challenging them.
This visibility helped transform the Mavericks into a recognized brand, and his involvement made him a central figure in sports media.
Selling the Majority Stake Without Leaving the Team
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Gage
In 2025, Cuban sold the majority of the Mavericks to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont. He kept a 27 percent stake and complete control over basketball operations. Cuban said the sale was motivated by family considerations, not economics. He did not want his children to feel obligated to take over his position under intense public scrutiny amplified by social media.
The transaction allowed him to reduce the pressure on his family while keeping the team rooted in Dallas. Cuban stressed that purchasing the Mavericks had never been about profit and that selling them was a personal choice, not a financial maneuver.