Mark Cuban Pledges $10 Million To Women’s Groups After NBA Investigation Of Mavericks’ Workplace Misconduct

A “toxic workplace” is the result of an NBA-led investigation on the corporate conduct of the Dallas Mavericks, after accusations stemmed from a Sports Illustrated report in February.

Cuban donates $10 mil. to women’s groups

“A corporate culture rife with misogyny and predatory sexual behavior” are some of the words used to describe the misconduct. Numerous allegations against former CEO and president Terdema Ussery — reportedly spanning decades in the Mavericks organization — prompted his resignation from the Mavericks in 2015.

Commissioner Adam Silver calls the reports of predatory and abusive behavior “disturbing and heartbreaking.” The investigation yielded a cesspool of documents, text messages and emails in the millions, laden with abusive and incriminatory language. Conduct by male team employees was misogynistic and inappropriate, citing “forcible kissing, verbal abuse, and job threats” as typical behavior.

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“First, just an apology to the women involved,” Cuban told ESPN. “We did a lot of things wrong.” Although Cuban was never mentioned by name in any of the reports, and never had accusations held against him, his negligence allowed for the environment to proceed and consume as it did. Cuban adamantly denied knowing anything regarding the reported misconduct, but was swift to denounce it and offered sincere apologies to his victimized employees.

“This is not something that just is an incident and then it’s over,” he said when referencing the abuse. “It stays with people. It stays with families. And I’m just sorry I didn’t see it. I’m just sorry I didn’t recognize it.” To bolster the severity of which he apologized, Cuban’s pledge to women’s organizations is put forward to promote the importance of women’s leadership and development within sports and to combat domestic violence and abuse in the workplace.

“As Mark has acknowledged, he is ultimately responsible for the culture and conduct of his employees,” said Silver in his statement on Cuban’s efforts. “While nothing will undo the harm caused by a select few former employees of the Mavericks, the workplace reforms and the $10 million that Mark has agreed to contribute are important steps toward rectifying this past behavior and shining a light on a pervasive societal failing – the inability of too many organizations to provide a safe and welcoming workplace for women.”

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The NBA under Silver has been known as a progressive and accommodating entity towards the sensibilities and well-being of both its employees and its fans. The efforts the league has made, specifically by its commissioner, have helped it ground itself within an environment that ascends the breach of ethics that has been recently unsheathed. Cuban seems to endorse the same philosophy and has attached himself to the brand of positivity the NBA has set forth.

Cuban has previously donated large sums to support other causes he cares about. After the June 2016 shooting at the PULSE gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, he pledged $1 million to support Dallas police.