In December 2023, Mark Cuban, a billionaire entrepreneur known for his ventures in the business world, decided to part ways with a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks, a National Basketball Association team he had purchased in 2000. This decision came after several successful business ventures and a long journey with the Mavericks. In a recent podcast appearance, Cuban delved into his time with the team and explained why it was time for a change.
Cuban, who has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, recalled the moment he decided to approach the Mavericks’ owner about buying the team. He was struck by the fact that the season’s home opener wasn’t a sellout, even though the team was undefeated. “We’re undefeated. We should have a good team. And I’m like, I can do better than this,” Cuban shared on the “Life in Seven Songs” podcast. He managed to secure a deal within a month and became the team’s owner just a couple of months later, paying $285 million for the team in 2000.
When asked to pick a song that encapsulated his time with the Mavericks, Cuban chose “Eminence Front” by The Who. He explained that the song holds a special significance for him and the team. “Back in 2001, we moved to a new arena, and the head of marketing, a close friend named Matt Fitzgerald, who unfortunately passed away from ALS a few years ago, came up with this song,” Cuban revealed. He envisioned using “Eminence Front” in a similar way the Chicago Bulls used their signature music during Michael Jordan’s era, creating an instantly recognizable sound for fans. Fitzgerald proposed the song, and Cuban made a promise to his friend, assuring him that as long as he was involved with the Mavericks, “Eminence Front” would always be the opening song for the games. Cuban described how the song has become deeply ingrained in the minds of Mavericks fans, instantly triggering memories of games. “While the beginning of this song is playing, there’s a hype video on the Jumbotron that everyone sees. It includes highlights of the last game and introductions of our starting lineup.”
Moving on from the Mavericks, Cuban recently sold a majority stake in the team to casino magnate Miriam Adelson, with the team valued at a whopping $3.5 billion. However, Cuban remains involved with the team as an alternate governor, maintaining control of basketball operations while retaining a 27% ownership stake. He expresses hope that Adelson’s involvement can help with potential casino and real estate projects if the team builds a new arena in the future.
Cuban acknowledges his children, aged 15, 18, and 21, as a major factor in his decision to step back from his commitment to the Mavericks. “There’s a lot of pressure for them. And running a professional sports team isn’t always good,” Cuban explained. He emphasized the challenges his children face when the team isn’t doing well. “When you’re having a bad season, just, you know, your kids are on social media. I just don’t want them to put up with all that abuse and everything. And, you know, that was the primary reason.” During the interview, Cuban admitted that life for his kids is significantly different from his own childhood. “You don’t have that unique privacy. You know, the ability to just be unnoticed that I had, and that’s hard.” While Cuban doesn’t feel sorry for his kids in this regard, he recognizes the challenges they’ve faced. “I give them a ton of credit. They’re good kids. They’ve got big hearts. They’re smart. They’re respectful.”
This marks a new chapter for both Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks, with both parties ready to explore new ventures and opportunities.
