Mark Cuban Expresses Regret Over Mavericks Sale, Blames NBA Clause Removal

Mark Cuban, former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, sold the team in late 2023 to a group led by Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont for $3.5 billion, retaining a 27% minority stake to maintain his governor status. While Cuban does not regret selling the team, he regrets how the sale was handled, specifically his decision not to open the sale to competitive bidding, which he believes could have been more advantageous. Cuban expected to remain involved in basketball operations, but he claims the NBA forced the removal of a contractual clause that would have allowed him to participate in all team meetings and trade discussions, a claim the league denies. Despite being sidelined from team operations, Cuban maintains a positive relationship with the new governor, Patrick Dumont, and continues to engage in discussions about the team's roster and analytics. Cuban’s decision to sell was motivated by a desire to leave ownership on his own terms and to avoid burdening his family with the challenges of team ownership in the current media environment. He acknowledges that although the sale process left him less involved than anticipated, he is focused on the future of the team and its young talent.