Mark Cuban may no longer own the Dallas Mavericks outright, but his passion for basketball hasn't cooled—it's just gone north. The outspoken billionaire and former "Shark Tank" star has invested in the Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), betting big on what he calls a "powerhouse" of basketball talent.
The exact size of his stake and the price tag remain under wraps, but Cuban—who still holds about 27% of the Mavericks—told Front Office Sports that Canada has a "huge appetite for sports and basketball." And he's not just talking about fans. "Canada is producing more stars than any other country," he said, pointing to a surge in elite talent that rivals even the European boom led by Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Cuban's claim isn't just hype. NBA fans know the names: reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, Nuggets champion Jamal Murray, Raptors standout RJ Barrett, Heat veteran Andrew Wiggins, and Suns defensive ace Dillon Brooks. That's a lineup of Canadian stars that any league would envy. Yet, with only one NBA team north of the border—the Toronto Raptors—these players need a platform to grow, compete, and connect with their home country.
Enter the CEBL. Founded in 2017 and debuting in 2019, the league bills itself as "a league created by Canadians for Canadians." With 10 teams spread across six provinces and 73% of its players hailing from Canada, it's become a vital pipeline. Last season alone, the CEBL featured over 15 players with NBA experience, including Jalen Harris and A.J. Lawson, who have bounced between the two leagues.
The Honey Badgers connection runs deep. Al Whitley, the team's CEO, spent nearly 22 years with the Mavericks, including key front-office roles under Cuban. That trust paved the way for this deal. Cuban also noted he's "done business" with the Honey Badgers' majority owner, Leonard Asper, "for a long time." In 2019, Cuban sold a majority stake in HDNet LLC—the parent company of AXS TV and HDNet Movies—to Asper's Anthem Sports & Entertainment.
For Cuban, this isn't just a nostalgic reunion. It's a bet on a basketball nation on the rise. With a "ton of upside" and a growing pool of Canadian talent, the CEBL might just be the next big thing in hoops. And for fans looking to rep their favorite stars, whether it's a Gilgeous-Alexander jersey or a Honey Badgers hoodie, the court is only getting more global.