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, television personality, and investor. Best known as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks and a prominent investor on Shark Tank, Cuban has built a fortune estimated at $5.7 billion. He co-owns 2929 Entertainment and has made significant contributions to the sports and entertainment industries. His business acumen and media presence have established him as a major figure in both entrepreneurial and popular culture.

Sections (5)

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

June 2004: Stock dilution

A stock dilution occurred shortly after a trade in June 2004, giving hints of inside knowledge at the time of the trade, and Cuban allegedly was saved from a loss of $750,000.

2005: Booing campaign against former Mavericks player

During the 2005–06 NBA season, Mark Cuban started 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, sparking controversy over his stock trading practices.

2006: NBA Finals

After the 2006 NBA Finals, 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: Fined 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.

February 2007: Criticized Dwyane Wade and the 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.

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 copyright issues.

November 17, 2008: SEC files civil 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. Cuban disputed the charges.

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

On January 16, 2009, Mark Cuban was fined $25,000 by the league for yelling at Denver Nuggets player J. R. Smith. He offered to match the fine with a donation to a charity of Smith's choosing.

May 2009: Cuban makes controversial "thugs" statement

In May 2009, Mark Cuban made a reference to the Denver Nuggets being "thugs" after a loss to the Nuggets in game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals. He also made a comment to Kenyon Martin's mother, leading to further controversy.

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 were insolvent.

May 22, 2010: Fined for comments about LeBron James

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's Response to Lawsuit

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

2011: Lawsuit Dismissed

In 2011, the lawsuit filed by H. Ross Perot Jr. against Mark Cuban was dismissed, partially due to the Mavericks' NBA Finals victory.

January 18, 2014: Fined for confronting referees

On January 18, 2014, Mark Cuban was fined $100,000 for confronting referees and using inappropriate language toward them. He confirmed that he would match the fine with a donation to charity.

2014: Court Affirms Dismissal

In 2014, the 5th Circuit Court affirmed the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by H. Ross Perot Jr. against Mark Cuban.

February 21, 2018: Fined for "tanking" statement

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 stated that the fine was "for public statements detrimental to the NBA."

March 6, 2018: Willamette Week reports 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 of a Portland, Oregon bar called the Barrel Room. The woman alleged that Cuban sexually groped her while she posed for pictures with him.

March 8, 2018: NBA reviews Cuban allegations.

On March 8, 2018, the NBA announced that it was reviewing the matter of the incident between Mark Cuban and a female patron of a Portland, Oregon bar called the Barrel Room.

March 6, 2020: Fined for criticism of 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.

June 2020: Considered running for president as an independent candidate

In June 2020, Mark Cuban considered running for president as an independent candidate. He commissioned a poll that showed he would only receive 25% of the vote in a hypothetical matchup with Donald Trump and Joe Biden. The poll also indicated that his candidacy would have pulled votes from both Trump and Biden.

2020: Support for Anthem Movement

In late 2020, Mark Cuban supported the movement to stop playing the National Anthem at Dallas Mavericks games.

2021: National Anthem Stoppage

In early 2021, Mark Cuban stopped playing the National Anthem at Dallas Mavericks games, later reversing the decision following NBA policy enforcement.

February 2022: Securities Act 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.