Mark Cuban Recalls How He Went Off On Mavericks Players—'Did You Get Your Paycheck? Because You All Aren't Doing S***'

Mark Cuban may have sold most of his stake in the Dallas Mavericks, but back when he was running things day to day, he had some intense moments. In a 2024 “Club Shay Shay” interview, Cuban reflected on one of those raw moments when he lit into his team after a lackluster performance.

Calling Out the Team

Cuban, known for his hands-on approach as an owner, recalled a game where he felt the players weren't putting in the effort. He unleashed on the players in the locker room.

"I walked into the locker room and I started pointing at different guys—’Yo, did you get your paycheck this week? Yeah? Did you get your paycheck this week?’" Cuban recounted. "And I went around to all of them. ‘You get your paycheck this week?’ They all said yes. I said, ‘Then motherf****** play like you got your paycheck because you all aren’t doing s***"

Despite his best efforts to fire up the team, Cuban admitted that they lost that game.

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A Passionate, Involved Owner

Cuban bought the Mavericks in 2000 for $285 million after seeing empty seats at the team's home opener and thinking, “We’re undefeated. We should have a good team. And I’m like, ‘I can do better than this,'” Cuban recalled on the “Life in Seven Songs” podcast. He quickly became one of the NBA's most engaged owners, often sitting courtside, arguing with referees, and making bold moves to improve the franchise.

His efforts paid off. Under Cuban's ownership, the Mavericks won their first NBA championship in 2011, led by Dirk Nowitzki. He also revolutionized the way NBA teams invested in facilities, player care, and fan experiences.

Selling the Mavericks and Rewarding Loyalty

In December 2023, Cuban sold the majority stake of the team to casino billionaire Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law, Patrick Dumont, in a deal valuing the franchise at $3.5 billion. He retained a 27% stake.

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Part of his motivation for selling was to be more with his family.

"There's a lot of pressure for them," Cuban said about his kids, who were aged 15, 18 and 21 at the time. "When you're having a bad season, your kids are on social media. I just don't want them to put up with all that abuse."

However, before walking away from the owner's chair, Cuban made sure to take care of the people who helped build the team. He handed out $35 million in bonuses to long-serving Mavericks employees, describing it as "life-changing money" for those who had been with him for 20 years or more.

A Legacy Beyond Basketball

Even though Cuban is no longer the face of the Mavericks, his impact on NBA ownership, player experience, and franchise management will last for years. He continues focusing on business ventures, including Cost Plus Drugs, a company aiming to lower prescription medication prices, and potential casino development in Texas.

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