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 and television personality with an estimated net worth of $5.7 billion (as of February 2025). He is known for owning the Dallas Mavericks (NBA), co-owning 2929 Entertainment, and starring as an investor on the TV show Shark Tank. His entrepreneurial ventures and investments span various industries, solidifying his prominent position in both the business and entertainment worlds.

Sections (5)

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

2002: Cuban Criticizes NBA Official and Manages Dairy Queen

In 2002, Mark Cuban criticized NBA official Ed T. Rush, saying he "wouldn't be able to manage a Dairy Queen." Following this nationally publicized incident in 2002, Dairy Queen management invited Cuban to manage one of their restaurants for a day. Cuban accepted and worked for a day at a Dairy Queen in Coppell, Texas, where fans lined up to get a Blizzard from him.

June 2004: Mamma.com Stock Dilution

In June 2004, a stock dilution occurred shortly after a trade in shares of Mamma.com, now known as Copernic. It gave hints of inside knowledge at the time of the trade.

2005: Cuban Starts Booing Campaign Against Former Player

During the 2005–06 NBA season, Mark Cuban initiated a booing campaign when former Mavericks player Michael Finley returned to play against the Mavericks as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

July 2006: Financed Sharesleuth.com

In July 2006, Mark Cuban financed Sharesleuth.com, a website created to uncover fraud in publicly traded companies.

2006: Cuban Fined $250,000 for Misconduct After NBA Finals

After the 2006 NBA Finals, Mark Cuban was fined $250,000 by the NBA for repeated misconduct following the Mavericks' loss to the Miami Heat in Game Five of the 2006 NBA Finals.

2006: Cuban Discusses 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 and Discusses NBA Finals

In February 2007, Mark Cuban publicly criticized NBA Finals MVP Dwyane Wade. Cuban also stated that he would get fined if he made any further comments about the events of 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 concluding moments of the movie Redacted, citing copyrights/permissions issues.

November 17, 2008: SEC Files Insider Trading Suit Against Cuban

On November 17, 2008, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a civil suit against Mark Cuban relating to alleged insider trading in the shares of Mamma.com, now known as Copernic. The SEC claimed that Cuban sold his holdings in Mamma.com based on confidential information, avoiding a $750,000 loss.

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 during a Mavericks-Nuggets game on January 13. Cuban was offended by Smith's elbow towards Antoine Wright and offered to match the fine with a donation to a charity of Smith's choosing. If Smith did not respond, Cuban would donate the money to the NHL Players' Association Goals and Dreams Fund in the names of Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore.

May 2009: Cuban's "Thugs" Comment Sparks Controversy

In May 2009, following a loss to the Denver Nuggets, Mark Cuban referred to the Denver Nuggets as "thugs," directing the comment towards both the team and their fans. He also confronted Kenyon Martin's mother, who was seated nearby. The statement revisited media attention on Cuban yet again. Despite the controversy, the league did not fine him.

July 2009: Charges Against Cuban Dismissed

In July 2009, the U.S. District Court dismissed the insider trading charges against Mark Cuban related to Mamma.com. However, the SEC appealed the decision.

May 2010: Lawsuit Filed by H. Ross Perot Jr.

In May 2010, H. Ross Perot Jr. filed a lawsuit against Mark Cuban, alleging the Dallas Mavericks franchise was insolvent.

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 regarding his attempts to sign LeBron James.

June 2010: Cuban's Response to Lawsuit

In June 2010, Mark Cuban responded to H. Ross Perot Jr.'s lawsuit, maintaining that Perot was wrongly seeking money to offset losses.

September 2010: Appeals Court Revives SEC Suit Against Cuban

In September 2010, an appeals court overturned the district court's dismissal and ruled that further proceedings were necessary to address the merits of the SEC's insider trading suit against Mark Cuban.

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. The woman told Portland police that Cuban sexually groped her while she posed for pictures with him.

October 16, 2013: Jury Finds in Favor of Cuban in Insider Trading Case

On October 16, 2013, a federal jury in Texas found in favor of Mark Cuban in the insider trading case brought by the SEC. The jury deliberated for 3 hours and 35 minutes before reaching the verdict.

January 18, 2014: Cuban Fined for Inappropriate Language Toward Referees

On January 18, 2014, Mark Cuban was fined $100,000 for confronting referees and using inappropriate language toward them. Cuban matched the fine with a donation to charity on the condition that he reached two million followers on his Twitter account. Cuban also jokingly commented that he could not let Stern leave without a proper farewell.

March 2014: Cuban Criticizes High-Frequency Trading

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

February 2015: Expressed concerns about FCC overseeing the Internet

At the Code/Media conference in February 2015, Mark Cuban said that "having [the FCC] overseeing the Internet scares the shit out of me", regarding net neutrality.

September 2016: Cuban Criticizes Trump's Tax Views

In September 2016, Mark Cuban criticized Donald Trump's view that paying the minimum required taxes is 'smart', arguing that Trump was not contributing back to the system that enabled his wealth accumulation. Cuban made these remarks during a post-presidential debate interview in September 2016.

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." Commissioner Adam Silver cited that the fine was "for public statements detrimental to the NBA."

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

On March 6, 2018, Willamette Week reported on an alleged incident that occurred in April 2011 at a Portland, Oregon bar called the Barrel Room between Mark Cuban and a female patron. The woman claimed that Cuban sexually groped her while posing for pictures.

March 8, 2018: NBA Reviews Allegations Against Cuban

On March 8, 2018, the NBA announced that it was reviewing the alleged incident involving Mark Cuban and a female patron at a Portland bar. The review was initiated following a report by Willamette Week on March 6, 2018, detailing the allegations.

March 6, 2020: Cuban Fined for Criticizing NBA Officiating

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

September 2023: MetaMask Wallet Drained by Scammers

In September 2023, Mark Cuban's MetaMask cryptocurrency wallet was drained by scammers, resulting in a loss of approximately $870,000 worth of tokens.