Childhood and Education Journey of Mark Cuban in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Mark Cuban. From birth to education, explore key events.

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

July 31, 1958: Mark Cuban's Birth

On July 31, 1958, Mark Cuban was born. He is an American businessman and television personality.

Others born on this day/year

1981: Graduation from Indiana University

In 1981, Mark Cuban graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in management.

July 7, 1982: Moved to Dallas, Texas

On July 7, 1982, Mark Cuban moved to Dallas, Texas, where he initially worked as a bartender and then as a salesperson for Your Business Software.

October 1999: Largest Single E-commerce Transaction

In October 1999, Mark Cuban made what the Guinness Book of Records recognizes as the "largest single e-commerce transaction" by purchasing a Gulfstream V jet for $40 million over the internet.

September 2002: Cuban Marries Tiffany Stewart

In September 2002, Mark Cuban married Tiffany Stewart in a private ceremony held in Barbados.

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.

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.

June 30, 2006: Dirk Nowitzki Interview

On June 30, 2006, Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki gave an interview about Mark Cuban.

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.

February 8, 2008: Voiced support for draft Bloomberg movement

On February 8, 2008, Mark Cuban voiced his support for the draft Bloomberg movement, suggesting it was a way to change the status quo. He eventually voted for Barack Obama in the election.

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.

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.

2011: Cuban Silent During Mavericks' Championship Run

Despite his history of outspokenness, Mark Cuban was notably silent during the Dallas Mavericks' 2011 championship playoff run.

November 2012: Offered Trump $1 million for charity if he shaved his head

In November 2012, in response to Donald Trump offering President Obama $5 million to charity if he released passport applications and college transcripts, Mark Cuban offered Trump $1 million to a charity of Trump's choosing if Trump shaved his head.

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.

June 2015: Cuban Donates to Indiana University

In June 2015, Mark Cuban donated $5 million to Indiana University Bloomington to establish the "Mark Cuban Center for Sports Media and Technology" inside Assembly Hall, the school's basketball arena.

September 2015: Stated he could beat Trump and Clinton in 2016 election

In September 2015, Mark Cuban stated in an interview that he "could beat both Trump and Clinton" if he was running in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, but later clarified that he had no intention to run.

October 2015: Teased run for Speaker of the House

In October 2015, Mark Cuban posted on Twitter, "Maybe I'll run for Speaker of the House", during a period when there was no clear front-runner to replace John Boehner.

May 2016: Open to being Clinton's running mate

In May 2016, Mark Cuban told Meet the Press that he would be open to being Hillary Clinton's running mate in the election, though he would seek to alter some of her positions. He also said he would consider running as Trump's running mate.

July 21, 2016: Mocked Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

On July 21, 2016, Mark Cuban appeared on a live segment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and mocked Trump.

July 30, 2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton for president

On July 30, 2016, Mark Cuban formally endorsed Hillary Clinton for president at a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and criticized Republican nominee Donald Trump.

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.

September 2016: Positioned himself to support Clinton

In a September 2016 interview with NPR, Mark Cuban effectively positioned himself to support Clinton, suggesting the best strategy to beat Trump was to attack his insecurities.

November 22, 2016: Met with Steve Bannon

On November 22, 2016, Mark Cuban met with then President-elect Trump's key advisor Steve Bannon.

2016: Possible run in 2016 election

In September 2015, Mark Cuban stated in an interview that running for president was "a fun idea to toss around", and that, if he was running in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, he "could beat both Trump and Clinton".

October 2017: Cuban Considers Presidential Run

In October 2017, Mark Cuban stated he would "definitely" consider running for president if he were single, sparking speculation about his potential future in politics. In October 2017, Cuban said that if he ran for president in 2020, it would be as a Republican, and described himself as "socially a centrist ... but very fiscally conservative".

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 2019: Cuban "Strongly Considering" Independent Presidential Run

In a March 2019 interview with the New York Daily News, Mark Cuban expressed that he was "strongly considering running" for president as an independent candidate, signaling a potential shift in his political strategy.

May 2019: Cuban Awaits "Perfect Storm" for Presidential Run

In May 2019, Mark Cuban indicated that he would only run for president if the circumstances were just right, stating, "It would take the perfect storm for me to do it. There's some things that could open the door, but I'm not projecting or predicting it right now."

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.

May 2020: Voiced support for Joe Biden in 2020 election

During an appearance on an episode of Hannity in May 2020, Mark Cuban voiced his support for former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.

June 2020: Cuban Considered Independent Presidential Run in 2020

In a June 2020 interview with CNN and former Obama advisor David Axelrod, Mark Cuban revealed that he had seriously considered running for president that year as an independent candidate. He commissioned a national poll, which showed he would receive only 25% of the vote against President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. The June 2020 poll indicated his candidacy would draw votes from both Trump and Biden.

2020: Cuban Helps Delonte West

In 2020, Mark Cuban assisted former NBA player Delonte West, who was homeless, by picking him up from a gas station in Dallas and arranging for a hotel room and treatment at a drug rehabilitation center for him.

2020: Cuban considers challenging President Donald Trump

In 2020, it was speculated that Mark Cuban could have challenged president Donald Trump as a Democrat.

2020: Supported movement regarding the National Anthem

In late 2020, Mark Cuban supported the movement regarding the National Anthem.

February 2, 2021: Joined Reddit's WallStreetBets AMA

On February 2, 2021, Mark Cuban joined Reddit's WallStreetBets "Ask Me Anything" forum, answering questions related to the GameStop short squeeze and offered insights on trading techniques.

2021: Stopped playing National Anthem at Mavericks games

In early 2021, Mark Cuban decided to stop playing the National Anthem at Dallas Mavericks games to respect those who felt it did not represent them. The NBA then required all teams to play it.

October 2024: Trump offered Cuban a position in his administration

In October 2024 Mark Cuban revealed on the All-In Podcast that Trump had reached out to him for a position during his administration.

October 2024: Joined Kamala Harris on campaign trail

In October 2024, Mark Cuban joined Kamala Harris on the campaign trail for the 2024 election, making an appearance alongside her in Wisconsin on October 17. He spoke about Donald Trump's tariff policies, warning that they will drive up prices and "ruin Christmas."

2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris for President

Prior to the 2024 Presidential election, Mark Cuban endorsed Kamala Harris for President. He also launched "Business Leaders for Harris" with Reid Hoffman and expressed interest in heading the SEC if she were elected.