Ex-Dallas Mavericks owner, ‘Shark Tank’ star Cuban buys into Brampton Honey Badgers

BRAMPTON — American billionaire Mark Cuban, the former majority owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, has joined the ownership group of the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Brampton Honey Badgers.

The Honey Badgers announced the move in a statement Thursday. Details of Cuban’s involvement were not provided.

“Canadian basketball is probably the most underappreciated in the world,” Cuban said in the statement. “The talent here is through the roof and getting better by the day.

“The CEBL offers all of Canada the chance to see that amazing talent on display in exciting games that are fun and affordable for the entire family. I’m excited to be part of this team, help build the Brampton fanbase, and to bring some of the same fun we had in Dallas to the Toronto area.”

Honey Badgers noted that Cuban has strong connections to the CEBL team.

Cuban sold his majority stake in American cable company HDNet to Honey Badgers’ majority owner, Anthem Sports and Entertainment, and the team’s chief executive officer, Al Whitley, is a former Mavericks executive.

“I am thrilled that Mark has decided to formally join me on this journey after having already helped along the way, including introducing me to our current CEO, Al Whitley,” Anthem owner Leonard Asper said. “No one brings more basketball knowledge and winning culture than Mark, and all of us at the Honey Badgers are honoured to have him join this organization.”

Cuban was the majority owner of the Mavericks from 2000, when he bought a stake in the team from H. Ross Perot, until 2023, when he sold controlling interest to Miriam Adelson. He still owns 27 per cent of the team.

He was a high-profile courtside presence as the Mavs’ primary owner, including during the team’s lone NBA championship run in 2011.

Cuban is also well-known as a former co-host of the television series “Shark Tank” and co-founded discount pharmaceutical company Cost Plus Drugs in 2022.

The Honey Badgers are entering their fourth season in Brampton. They moved from Hamilton after winning the 2022 CEBL title due to renovations at TD Coliseum (then FirstOntario Centre).

Brampton, which finished last in the 10-team league last season, begins its 2026 campaign May 15 against visiting Ottawa.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2026.

The Canadian Press