Full Breakdown
Mark Cuban Joins Ownership Group of CEBL’s Brampton Honey Badgers
5/10/2026, 10:54:41 PM
New Ownership Stake in the Brampton Honey Badgers
Former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has taken an ownership stake in the Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL). The deal was disclosed at a Brampton city council meeting and is expected to be formally announced on May 7, 2026. This marks Cuban’s first equity position in a professional basketball team since selling his majority share of the Mavericks.
Background and Connections
Cuban sold a 73 percent stake in the Mavericks to media investor Miriam Adelson in late 2023 for $3.5 billion, retaining a 27 percent minority interest that will shrink to 7 percent under a contractual clause by next year. His renewed involvement in basketball stems from long-standing ties to Al Whitley, a former Mavericks executive who now leads the Honey Badgers, and Leonard Asper, the team’s co-owner who previously bought HDNet from Cuban. These relationships provided a familiar operating environment for Cuban’s entry into the CEBL.
Key Data
- Mavericks sale price: $3.5 billion (2023).
- Cuban’s remaining Mavericks stake: 27 percent, slated to fall to 7 percent by 2025.
- CEBL roster rule: at least 70 percent Canadian players.
- Honey Badgers record: runner-up in 2019, champions in 2022; relocated to Brampton in 2023.
- CEBL season runs May-August each year.
Why It Matters
Cuban’s entry brings a high-profile investor to a league dedicated to Canadian talent. His comments underscore Canada’s expanding contribution to NBA talent pipelines, reinforcing the league’s role as a development platform. Cuban has indicated that he would consider future NBA ownership opportunities.
Official Statements & Responses
Cuban told Front Office Sports that he sees significant upside for the CEBL and highlighted Canada’s strong output of NBA talent. Al Whitley’s long-standing partnership with Cuban, including work on the Mavericks’ 2011 championship, was cited as a key factor in the new ownership arrangement.
Verbatim Quote
> “I think there is a ton of upside… Canada is producing more stars than any other country.” — Mark Cuban, Investor (email to Front Office Sports)
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The exact percentage of Cuban’s stake in the Honey Badgers has not been disclosed.
- The monetary amount of his investment remains unspecified.
- Although a May 7 announcement was mentioned at the council meeting, the official press release has not yet been issued.
What’s Next
The Honey Badgers are expected to confirm Cuban’s stake on May 7, 2026, just before the CEBL season opens. The May-August schedule will provide a platform to gauge the impact of his involvement. Cuban has said he would consider future NBA ownership opportunities, and his Mavericks stake is scheduled to shrink further under the existing clause.
