Mark Cuban to become majority owner of Mavs pending NBA approval
Perot Hands Baton to Cuban
DALLAS, Jan. 20 -- At a noon press conference held at the American Airlines Center/Victory Marketing Center, Mavericks owner Ross Perot, Jr. formally announced an agreement to sell his majority stake in the franchise to broadcast.com co-founder Mark Cuban, pending approval of the NBA Board of Governors.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming out today so we can formalize what everybody knows and has been talking about for the past couple of weeks," said Perot. "As a majority owner I have had a lot of fun and success these past four years. It has been a privilege to be involved with this great organization, the Dallas Mavericks."
Although Perot, who will retain a minority interest in the club, originally assured Cuban that he was not interested in selling the team, Cuban's persuasiveness and enthusiasm finally changed his mind.
"Mark is a very good salesman. Mark would not give up and I think I told him 'no' for about six months," commented Perot. "I saw in Mark what I felt this organization needed. I saw his enthusiasm and his passion for the game as well as his passion for the Dallas Mavericks. Mark is a longtime fan, and I felt that is what we needed."
Perot then acknowledged Mavericks founder Don Carter along with Mavericks personnel, including President & CEO Terdema Ussery and General Manager/Head Coach Don Nelson, NBA Commissioner David Stern, owner Tom Hicks and the Dallas Stars, the Arena Group and others who have been key players in the development of American Airlines Center.
Perot presented Cuban with a personalized Mavericks jersey bearing the #1, along with a trophy commemorating the three majority owners in franchise history - Don Carter (1980-1996), Ross Perot, Jr. (1996-2000) and Mark Cuban (2000).
Upon receipt of the gifts, Cuban took the podium and said, "Wow, dreams really can come true. I want to thank Ross. He has been very instrumental in putting all of this together."
Cuban continued, "To be honest, I don't have a lot to say. This really is a dream come true and I am excited about this opportunity. What I can tell you is that I am going to give you every ounce of energy that I possess to turn this into a winning team. Dallas is an unbelievable town, and everyone has been incredible in getting this started."
The new majority owner of the Mavericks concluded the press conference by saying, "As we move forward into the next century, there is a lot to accomplish and a lot to do. I have to tell you that we will give you everything we have. I just want to say thanks to all of you."
 Mark Cuban sports his new Mavericks jersey after Ross Perot Jr. handed over control of the team Jan. 20. (AP Photos) |
Although Perot, who will retain a minority interest in the club, originally assured Cuban that he was not interested in selling the team, Cuban's persuasiveness and enthusiasm finally changed his mind.
"Mark is a very good salesman. Mark would not give up and I think I told him 'no' for about six months," commented Perot. "I saw in Mark what I felt this organization needed. I saw his enthusiasm and his passion for the game as well as his passion for the Dallas Mavericks. Mark is a longtime fan, and I felt that is what we needed."
Perot then acknowledged Mavericks founder Don Carter along with Mavericks personnel, including President & CEO Terdema Ussery and General Manager/Head Coach Don Nelson, NBA Commissioner David Stern, owner Tom Hicks and the Dallas Stars, the Arena Group and others who have been key players in the development of American Airlines Center.
Perot presented Cuban with a personalized Mavericks jersey bearing the #1, along with a trophy commemorating the three majority owners in franchise history - Don Carter (1980-1996), Ross Perot, Jr. (1996-2000) and Mark Cuban (2000).
Upon receipt of the gifts, Cuban took the podium and said, "Wow, dreams really can come true. I want to thank Ross. He has been very instrumental in putting all of this together."
Cuban continued, "To be honest, I don't have a lot to say. This really is a dream come true and I am excited about this opportunity. What I can tell you is that I am going to give you every ounce of energy that I possess to turn this into a winning team. Dallas is an unbelievable town, and everyone has been incredible in getting this started."
The new majority owner of the Mavericks concluded the press conference by saying, "As we move forward into the next century, there is a lot to accomplish and a lot to do. I have to tell you that we will give you everything we have. I just want to say thanks to all of you."
