Mavericks owners shoot down sale rumor — and indicate they'll buy more of Mark Cuban's minority stake
For Dallas Mavericks fans clinging to the hope of a Mark Cuban rescue mission, the door has been firmly slammed shut. Following a week of swirling speculation that the former majority owner might partner with an investment group to repurchase the franchise, the families of Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson issued a blistering statement not only denying the rumors but signaling their intent to further consolidate power.
The speculation ignited earlier this week when NBA insider Marc Stein reported that an unidentified Dallas-based investor group had expressed "tangible interest" in partnering with Cuban to buy back the team. Given the franchise’s tumultuous trajectory since the Adelson-Dumont purchase in late 2023—highlighted by the controversial February 2025 trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers—the rumor served as a beacon of hope for a disillusioned fanbase.
However, the ownership group’s response was unequivocal. In a statement to *The Dallas Morning News*, a spokesperson declared the team "not for sale," adding that the families "remain fully committed to the Dallas Mavericks franchise and to the Dallas community."
The statement’s final sentence, however, delivered the true blow to Cuban’s lingering influence: "The families look forward to expanding their ownership stake over time."
This is a direct reference to a clause in the 2023 sale agreement. While Cuban retained a 27% minority stake and initially kept control of basketball operations, the Adelson and Dumont families hold an option to purchase all but 7% of his remaining shares before December 2027. By publicly referencing this expansion, the majority owners are effectively signaling the end of the Cuban era.
For the Mavericks, this extinguishes the narrative of a white knight return. Despite the firing of GM Nico Harrison in November and the team’s subsequent struggles, the casino-magnate owners are digging in. Their focus remains on the long-term play—likely tied to the legalization of gambling in Texas and a new arena project—rather than the immediate on-court product. Cuban, meanwhile, appears destined to be reduced to a ceremonial figurehead with a single-digit stake.
The speculation ignited earlier this week when NBA insider Marc Stein reported that an unidentified Dallas-based investor group had expressed "tangible interest" in partnering with Cuban to buy back the team. Given the franchise’s tumultuous trajectory since the Adelson-Dumont purchase in late 2023—highlighted by the controversial February 2025 trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers—the rumor served as a beacon of hope for a disillusioned fanbase.
However, the ownership group’s response was unequivocal. In a statement to *The Dallas Morning News*, a spokesperson declared the team "not for sale," adding that the families "remain fully committed to the Dallas Mavericks franchise and to the Dallas community."
The statement’s final sentence, however, delivered the true blow to Cuban’s lingering influence: "The families look forward to expanding their ownership stake over time."
This is a direct reference to a clause in the 2023 sale agreement. While Cuban retained a 27% minority stake and initially kept control of basketball operations, the Adelson and Dumont families hold an option to purchase all but 7% of his remaining shares before December 2027. By publicly referencing this expansion, the majority owners are effectively signaling the end of the Cuban era.
For the Mavericks, this extinguishes the narrative of a white knight return. Despite the firing of GM Nico Harrison in November and the team’s subsequent struggles, the casino-magnate owners are digging in. Their focus remains on the long-term play—likely tied to the legalization of gambling in Texas and a new arena project—rather than the immediate on-court product. Cuban, meanwhile, appears destined to be reduced to a ceremonial figurehead with a single-digit stake.
