Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Mark Cuban

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Mark Cuban.

Mark Cuban is a highly successful American businessman, investor, and television personality. Best known as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team and a prominent investor on the reality TV show Shark Tank, Cuban has built a substantial net worth estimated at $5.7 billion. He also co-owns 2929 Entertainment. His diverse business ventures and media presence have made him a recognizable figure in both the business and entertainment worlds.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2002: Dairy Queen Incident

In 2002, after criticizing NBA official Ed T. Rush by saying he "wouldn't be able to manage a Dairy Queen," Mark Cuban accepted Dairy Queen's invitation to manage a restaurant for a day in Coppell, Texas.

June 2004: Alleged Insider Trading in Mamma.com Shares

In June 2004, a stock dilution occurred shortly after a trade involving Mark Cuban in Mamma.com, giving hints of inside knowledge at the time of the trade, where Cuban allegedly avoided a $750,000 loss.

2005: Booing Campaign Against Michael Finley

During the 2005 NBA season, Mark Cuban initiated a booing campaign against former Mavericks player Michael Finley when he returned as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

July 2006: Financing of Sharesleuth.com

In July 2006, Mark Cuban financed Sharesleuth.com, a website aimed at uncovering fraud in publicly traded companies, and disclosed his intention to take positions in the shares of companies mentioned in advance of publication, raising some ethical concerns.

2006: NBA Fines Cuban

In 2006, Mark Cuban was fined $25,000 by the NBA for cursing Spurs forward Bruce Bowen and rushing onto the court, and later fined $250,000 for misconduct after the Mavericks' Game Five loss to the Miami Heat in the 2006 NBA Finals.

2006: Referencing 2006 NBA Finals

In February 2007, Mark Cuban publicly criticized NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade and declared that he would get fined if he made any comments about what he thought really happened in the 2006 NBA Finals.

February 2007: Cuban Criticizes Dwyane Wade

In February 2007, Mark Cuban publicly criticized NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade and implied he would be fined if he commented on the 2006 NBA Finals.

September 2007: Removal of photographs from Redacted

In September 2007, Mark Cuban, as owner of Magnolia Pictures, removed disturbing photographs from the film Redacted due to copyrights/permissions issues.

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November 17, 2008: SEC Files Suit Against Cuban

On November 17, 2008, the SEC filed a civil suit against Mark Cuban for alleged insider trading in the shares of Mamma.com, now known as Copernic.

January 16, 2009: Cuban Fined for Yelling at J.R. Smith

On January 16, 2009, Mark Cuban was fined $25,000 by the NBA for yelling at Denver Nuggets player J.R. Smith. Cuban offered to match the fine with a donation to a charity of Smith's choice or the NHL Players' Association Goals and Dreams Fund in the names of Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore.

May 2009: Cuban's "Thugs" Comment

In May 2009, Mark Cuban made a controversial comment referencing the Denver Nuggets as "thugs" after a loss in the Western Conference Semifinals, leading to media attention and an apology.

July 2009: Charges Against Cuban Dismissed

In July 2009, the U.S. District Court dismissed the charges against Mark Cuban in the insider trading case.

May 2010: Lawsuit filed against Cuban

In May 2010, H. Ross Perot Jr. filed a lawsuit against Mark Cuban, alleging the Dallas Mavericks franchise was insolvent or in imminent danger of insolvency.

May 22, 2010: Cuban Fined for LeBron James Comments

On May 22, 2010, Mark Cuban was fined $100,000 for comments he made during a television interview about trying to sign LeBron James.

June 2010: Cuban responds to lawsuit

In June 2010, Mark Cuban responded to H. Ross Perot Jr.'s lawsuit in a court filing, maintaining that Perot was wrongly seeking money to offset losses on a real estate development.

September 2010: Appeals Court Reinstates SEC Suit

In September 2010, an appeals court overturned the dismissal of the SEC suit against Mark Cuban, ordering further proceedings.

April 2011: Alleged Incident at Portland Bar

In April 2011, an alleged incident occurred between Mark Cuban and a female patron at a Portland, Oregon bar called the Barrel Room, where the woman claimed Cuban sexually groped her. Cuban denied the allegations.

October 16, 2013: Jury Finds in Favor of Cuban

On October 16, 2013, a federal jury in Texas found in favor of Mark Cuban in the insider trading case after deliberating for 3 hours and 35 minutes.

January 18, 2014: Cuban Fined for Inappropriate Language

On January 18, 2014, Mark Cuban was fined $100,000 for confronting referees and using inappropriate language. Cuban stated that he would match the fine with a donation to charity, conditional on reaching two million followers on his Twitter account.

March 2014: Cuban Criticizes High-Frequency Trading

In March 2014, Mark Cuban criticized high-frequency trading (HFT) on CNBC, suggesting it is equivalent to automated insider trading.

September 2016: Cuban Criticizes Trump's Tax Comments

In September 2016, Mark Cuban criticized Donald Trump's view that paying the minimum required taxes is "smart" and for not contributing back to the system that enabled his wealth.

February 21, 2018: Cuban Fined for Tanking Comments

On February 21, 2018, Mark Cuban was fined $600,000 by the NBA for stating that the Dallas Mavericks should "tank for the rest of the season."

March 6, 2018: Report on Alleged Incident at Portland Bar

On March 6, 2018, Willamette Week reported on an alleged April 2011 incident between Mark Cuban and a female patron at a Portland bar, where the woman claimed Cuban sexually groped her. Cuban denied the allegations, and the Portland District Attorney's office declined to prosecute.

March 8, 2018: NBA Reviews Alleged Incident

On March 8, 2018, the NBA announced it was reviewing the alleged incident involving Mark Cuban and a female patron at a Portland bar in April 2011.

March 6, 2020: Cuban Fined for Criticizing Officiating

On March 6, 2020, Mark Cuban was fined $500,000 by the NBA for "public criticism and detrimental conduct regarding NBA officiating."

2021: Mavericks Stop Playing National Anthem

In early 2021, Mark Cuban decided to stop playing the National Anthem at Dallas Mavericks games to respect those who felt it didn't represent them. However, the NBA responded by requiring every team to play it, citing it as their "long-standing policy". Cuban did not complain, and ended up playing the anthem.

February 2022: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling

In February 2022, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a lawsuit against Bitconnect that the Securities Act of 1933 extends to targeted solicitation using social media.