Mark Cuban To Donate $1M To Support Dallas Police After Orlando Shooting

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says he will donate $1 million to the Dallas Police Department in order to support its response in the wake of Saturday’s shooting at gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando.

Mark Cuban To Donate $1M To Support Dallas Police After Orlando Shooting

The money will fund approximately 16,000 hours of overtime for the department as it increases counterterrorism measures, according to a Wednesday statement from the city. After killing 49 people at the Pulse nightclub, the gunman died in a shootout with the police.

“I’m proud to be able to help the City of Dallas,” Cuban said in a statement.

Cuban also sent an email to CNBC on Wednesday, saying, “It was the right thing to do and I will do more of it in a future.”

Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings lauded the billionaire for “stepping up in a time of need.” Dallas Police Chief David Brown also thanked Cuban, saying: “These funds will be used primarily to protect the LGBT community. We will earmark and track the expenditure of these funds to ensure its effective use in creating a safe environment.”

In March 2015, Cuban pledged his support to Texas Wins, a non-profit organization dedicated to combatting LGBT discrimination. “I’m glad to see Texas Wins taking up the charge here and making a pro-business case to end discrimination in the Lone Star State,” he said in a press release at the time. “I have little tolerance for discrimination in my businesses, nor do a majority of Fortune 500 companies. Texas is a beacon for business and should follow corporate America’s lead on this one.”

A spokesman for the city of Dallas declined to provide further comment.

Article by Pablo Mena