Mark Cuban is stepping back into basketball ownership after selling his majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks. His newest venture takes him to Canada, where he is joining the ownership group of the Brampton Honey Badgers in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The announcement was made on Thursday.
Mark Cuban Joins Brampton Honey Badgers Ownership
Leonard Asper, the owner of the Honey Badgers, expressed excitement over Cuban’s involvement. Asper noted, “I am thrilled that Mark has decided to formally join me on this journey. No one brings more basketball knowledge and winning culture than Mark.”
Cuban’s Basketball Legacy
Mark Cuban first became a prominent figure in basketball when he acquired the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million. His leadership culminated in a historic victory for the Mavericks when they won the NBA Championship in 2011, which remains the team’s only title. In December 2023, Cuban sold a 73 percent controlling interest in the Mavericks to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont for approximately $3.5 billion.
Cuban’s involvement in the CEBL is not entirely new. He previously sold his majority stake in HDNet to Anthem Sports and Entertainment, the majority owner of the Honey Badgers. Al Whitley, the team’s CEO, has connections to the Mavericks, having served as an executive with the NBA team.
Impact of Cuban’s Involvement
Cuban is optimistic about the future of basketball in Canada. He stated, “Canadian basketball is probably the most underappreciated in the world. The talent here is through the roof and getting better by the day.”
- Becoming part of the Brampton Honey Badgers enhances his basketball portfolio.
- The CEBL provides exposure to Canadian talent in an exciting format suitable for families.
- Cuban aims to build the Brampton fanbase, paralleling the Mavericks’ success in Dallas.
As a founding franchise of the CEBL, the Honey Badgers play at the CAA Centre in Brampton. They won their inaugural championship in 2022, representing Hamilton. With Cuban’s addition to the team, the Honey Badgers look forward to a promising future in Canadian basketball.
