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Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban is investing in Canadian men’s pro basketball.
The American billionaire entrepreneur has purchased an ownership stake in the Canadian Elite Basketball League’s Brampton Honey Badgers, the team announced Thursday.
“Canadian basketball is probably the most underappreciated in the world,” Cuban stated in a news release. “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. I’m excited to be part of this team.”
Cuban played an active role while a majority owner of the team, which led to a 2011 NBA title. He was credited for his willingness to spend to acquire top talent, fostering team chemistry and building a family-like atmosphere.
In Brampton, Cuban is reunited with longtime Mavericks executive and now Badgers CEO, Al Whitley. Their relationship spans 25 years.
“This is a historic and landmark day for our franchise,” Whitley said. “Mark’s business acumen, championship pedigree and philanthropic endeavours make this relationship one that Brampton Honey Badgers wholeheartedly cherish and are grateful for.”
Beyond his NBA success, Cuban is recognized from his 13 years with the Emmy Award-winning television show Shark Tank as one of five investors who listened to presentations and pitches of investment from small companies.
In 2022, Cuban co-founded Dallas-based Cost Plus Drugs, a public benefit corporation focused on providing pharmaceutical drugs to the public at a lower cost.
Brings ‘winning culture’ to Brampton
Leonard Asper, a Canadian businessperson, entrepreneur and lawyer, is also part-owner of the Badgers who was introduced to Whitley by Cuban.
“No one brings more basketball knowledge and winning culture than Mark,” said Asper, the president CEO, and majority shareholder of Toronto-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp., a global media company that produces, distributes, and broadcasts content.
“All of us at the Honey Badgers are honoured to have him join this organization.”
The 2022 CEBL champion Badgers open their season with two home games against Ottawa BlackJacks (May 15) and Calgary Surge (May 17) at the CAA Centre.
In March, CBC Sports announced a five-year partnership with the CEBL. Marquee games, including the first best-of-three league championship in August, will air on CBC-TV while all contests will be live streamed on CBC Gem and CBC Sports YouTube.
CBC Sports also served as the league’s original broadcaster from 2019 to 2022.
The CEBL has teams in six provinces and 70 per cent of its players are from Canada, the highest proportion of domestic talent in any professional league in the country.
The regular season opens Saturday in Edmonton with the Stingers battling Winnipeg Sea Bears at 3:30 p.m. ET.
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