Former employees of the Dallas Mavericks are urging Mark Cuban to leave Dallas following the controversial trade. As Cuban defends his tenure with the team, the controversy highlights the complex intersection of sports management and the political stances that have made Cuban a lightning rod for criticism. How did Cuban respond to criticism about the Luka trade?
Cuban’s Showdown with Former Employees
Mark Cuban is facing significant backlash from former Dallas Mavericks employees following the team’s decision to trade superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Former Mavericks event manager Gavin Mulloy took to Facebook to express his frustration, suggesting Cuban should leave Dallas altogether due to the controversial trade.
Cuban didn’t take the criticism silently, responding directly to Mulloy with a pointed question: “Hey Gavin Mulloy how much of a bonus did you get when I sold?” The billionaire businessman defended his ownership record, claiming he lost money for 13 of the 21 years he owned the team and suggesting critics should appreciate his contributions rather than condemn him.
Mark Cuban goes off on former Mavs employee 😳
(h/t @FOS) pic.twitter.com/HMil8Wl9hw
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 29, 2025
The Business Behind the Controversy
Though Cuban sold his majority stake in the Mavericks for $3.5 billion to the Adelson family in December 2023, he still maintains a 27% ownership interest in the franchise. The reduced stake hasn’t diminished his public profile or willingness to comment on team matters, with Cuban openly expressing dissatisfaction about the Doncic trade.
Cuban made his position clear on the trade, stating, “If the Mavs are going to trade Luka, that’s one thing; just get a better deal.” His comments suggest internal disagreement about the value received in the trade, despite no longer holding decision-making authority as the majority owner.
A former Mavs employee posted on Facebook that Mark Cuban "should be run out of Dallas."
Cuban did not hold back in the comments. pic.twitter.com/9BrYDO1SMw
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 29, 2025
Politics Amplifying the Tension
Cuban’s high-profile political stances have further complicated the controversy surrounding his basketball business dealings. As a vocal critic of Donald Trump and supporter of Kamala Harris, Cuban has made statements that have drawn attention from both supporters and detractors.
In one particularly notable comment, Cuban remarked, “Donald Trump—you never see him around strong, intelligent women, ever. It’s just that simple.” Such statements have been leveraged by the Trump campaign to argue that Democrats, including Harris, are fundamentally opposed to Trump supporters.
Cuban previously supported Trump before the 2016 election but changed his position after getting to know him better. This political evolution has become intertwined with public perception of his business decisions, creating a complex dynamic that extends far beyond basketball operations.