Mark Cuban has been a constant presence at Mavericks games throughout Dallas’ playoff run, which comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched the franchise over the years.
While many NBA owners stay out of the spotlight, Cuban has made a point of watching games among the fans and reacting just like anyone else would. The billionaire businessman was front-and-center when the Mavericks won their first NBA championship in 2011, and they enter the Western Conference Finals four wins away from a return to the Finals for the first time since that run.
Cuban is still around the team and attending games, but his role isn’t quite the same as it was even a few months ago after a surprising move.
Here’s what you need to know about Cuban’s ownership status in Dallas. Does Mark Cuban still own the Mavericks?
Cuban is no longer the Mavericks’ majority owner. He sold 73 percent of the franchise to Miriam Adelson for $3.5 billion in late 2023, and the Mavericks’ control person is now Adelson’s son-in-law Patrick Dumont.
Despite selling his majority stake in the Mavericks, Cuban remains very much involved with the franchise. In addition to owning 27 percent of the team, Cuban retained oversight of basketball operations in Dallas as part of the unique agreement.
Cuban isn’t the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations, as that title belongs to Nico Harrison, but he played an important role in day-to-day basketball operations as majority owner and evidently continues to hold a valuable role.
With that being said, a Western Conference title for the Mavericks would mean Dumont, not Cuban, would be presented with the trophy. The same goes for the Larry O’Brien trophy, should Dallas complete a surprising run to the NBA championship.
Why did Mark Cuban sell the Mavericks?
Cuban’s decision to sell his majority stake in the Mavericks raised eyebrows at the time, leading some to wonder whether he was considering a run for president. The 65-year-old quickly shot down that idea.
Instead, Cuban told reporters he was looking for someone who can “build” and expressed confidence that the Adelson family can do just that.
“Patrick and Miriam, they’re the best in the world at what they do. … When you get a world-class partner who can come in and grow your revenue base and you’re not dependent on things that you were in the past, that’s a huge win,” Cuban said in December.