Mark Cuban, a businessman and television personality best known for his appearances on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” transformed the Dallas Mavericks from the worst NBA team to the best. In 2000, Cuban purchased the Mavericks for $285 million from H. Ross Perot Jr., a real estate developer and businessman best known for Alliance, Texas, an inland port near the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Cuban’s purchase and transformation of the then-struggling franchise were worthwhile. Read on for further details surrounding the topic at hand.
Mark Cuban Transforms the Mavericks
Mark Cuban is one of the most popular businessmen in the world. Cuban’s transformation of the Dallas Mavericks into an NBA championship team is one of the most compelling stories in modern sports team ownership history. Cuban purchased the Mavericks in 2000, which shocked the sports business world, as the team was widely regarded as the worst team in professional sports.
Cuban, 66, recently appeared on “The Steam Room” podcast and recounted the Mavericks’ state at the time of purchase. Cuban said, “So a couple of reasons. One, remember when I bought the Mavs, you know, the previous 10 years, we hadn’t made the playoffs. We were voted the worst professional sports franchise … So I had to change hearts and minds.”
Cuban added, “I had to let them know that things were going to change. And one way to do that was to invest … I remember the first time I met with the players, and I think it was Gary Trent said, Mark, you know, we get into Oakland, California on a back-to-back at three in the morning, and we’re staying in a hotel with no room service. I had to send a message that, you know, we needed to upgrade…
“I just wanted to put the players in a position to succeed. And when you put them in a position to succeed, they don’t have excuses. You remember Chuck, there were three or four coaches and that was it. So I brought in 15 different former Mavericks to be coaches.”
Mark Cuban Changes Dallas Mavericks’ Culture
Mark Cuban is a successful businessman who purchased the Dallas Mavericks and embarked on a journey to change the Mavericks. Cuban did what the Mavericks’ previous ownership failed to do, and asked the players about the challenges they faced that prevented them from playing as well as they should. The players told Cuban that the team cut corners by booking the cheapest hotels for them to stay at for away games. Cuban was astonished and quickly asked the team’s logistics department to book luxury hotel rooms for the players and also hired nutritionists to travel with the team to ensure optimum health and wellness.
Cuban said on “The Steam Room” podcast, “Every guy had their own, and that was the start of player development coaches in the NBA. And then we started bringing on interns more recently so that, you know, former college D1 players that wanted to get into the NBA, there was always somebody there to give them a run so they can work on their skills.”
Cuban didn’t stop after implementing player development coaches to help players. Cuban’s actions went above and beyond, as Cuban knew exactly what it took to transform the Mavericks into an NBA championship organization both on and off the court. Cuban said, “The more guys could work on their skills, you know, the better we’ll be and the better the team will be. So to me, it just made perfect sense.”
Cuban’s Approach To Team Ownership
Mark Cuban’s approach to sports team ownership isn’t for the faint of heart. Cuban’s approach was revolutionary from the start, as Cuban knew that he needed to create an environment where Dallas Mavericks players could thrive. The players benefited from Cuban’s heavy investment in the team’s infrastructure, including player comfort, health, and well-being.
Cuban’s approach extended to the Mavericks’ coaching structure. By recognizing the value of individual player development, Cuban introduced a ground-breaking model that became a top blueprint in the NBA. Cuban’s model jump-started the specialized player development trend for the NBA’s teams and helped the Mavericks attract and retain the world’s top talent.
Cuban’s approach was bold, to put it mildly. Cuban sold his majority stake in the Mavericks last December. But, even as a minority owner, Cuban’s influence remains in the Mavericks’ day-to-day operations from on-court competitiveness to off-court health and wellness. Cuban’s actions showed the Mavericks are more than a professional basketball team, but also set a high standard for current and future sports team owners.
