While Trump reportedly sought a higher amount, this remains the largest political donation from any major American sports owner. Despite his differences with Trump, Cuban defended his business relationship with the Adelsons in a recent interview, highlighting the importance of independent political choice in business.

Record $100M Donation to Trump by New Dallas Mavericks Owner Highlights Cuban’s Complex Political Balancing Act

Billionaire entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks ex-majority owner Mark Cuban is navigating a politically charged scenario after selling most of his ownership in the NBA team to Miriam Adelson, whose family has now made the largest-ever political contribution by an American sports owner to Donald Trump's campaign. The $100 million donation from the Adelson family to Trump’s Preserve America PAC is drawing intense attention, especially given Cuban’s outspoken criticisms of the former president.

Though Trump had reportedly anticipated a donation closer to $250 million, the Adelson family's $100 million support still stands as the largest contribution among U.S. sports team owners across NBA, NFL, MLB, and WNBA franchises. Adelson, who is worth an estimated $32.3 billion alongside her family, holds a controlling stake in the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which her son-in-law Patrick Dumont now oversees. Following NBA Board approval, Adelson officially acquired the Dallas Mavericks’ majority ownership from Cuban in January 2024, with Cuban retaining a minority stake in the team.

Cuban’s alignment with Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris, for whom he’s campaigned actively, stands in sharp contrast to the Adelson family's support of Trump. In a recent ABC interview, Cuban described Trump as a “fascist,” underscoring his concerns over Trump’s public statements about using military force against “domestic enemies,” mass deportations, and “knocking on doors” to remove undocumented immigrants. Cuban argued that such rhetoric closely mirrors historical examples of fascism.

Despite this ideological gulf, Cuban defended his decision to maintain a business relationship with the Adelsons, noting in an interview with FOX 5 Dallas that he does not base business dealings on political affiliations. “This is America. People get to choose their candidates,” Cuban explained, emphasizing that he respects the Adelsons' right to support their preferred candidates.

Public records confirm that Cuban, though vocal in support of Democratic candidates like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, has refrained from making political donations himself. This neutrality in financial contributions was evident when Cuban revealed he hasn’t given “a penny” to Harris, despite his endorsement of her policies.

In the lead-up to the election, Cuban has intensified his public defense of Harris and the Democratic platform. Recently, he sparred with conservative activist Riley Gaines on X, countering criticisms of Harris’ handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. Cuban argued that Harris’ border policies “have actually worked” to curb illegal immigration, a stance he has reiterated in recent CNBC interviews. His support for Harris and Biden in 2024 comes after backing Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Interestingly, Cuban's relationship with Trump once had a very different tone. In 2015, Cuban voiced approval for Trump, finding him refreshingly unfiltered and disruptive to traditional political norms. “I just wanted to screw things up in traditional politics,” Cuban said, recalling his initial support. At the time, he appreciated Trump’s authenticity, even if it sometimes led to controversial statements. However, as Trump’s platform evolved, so did Cuban’s stance, turning him from an early supporter to one of Trump’s most vocal opponents.

As both Cuban and the Adelson family continue to back their respective candidates, this business-political intersection has become emblematic of the complex balancing act that defines high-stakes American corporate and political landscapes today.