15 Things You Didn’t Know About Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban

15. He's An Author

In 2011, Cuban published his eBook titled, 'How to Win at the Sport of Business', which documented his trials and tribulations in the world of sports and business. Clearly, he wanted to help out other business people with this text, because it's not like he's making a ton of money out of this venture.

15. He's An Author

In 2011, Cuban published his eBook titled, 'How to Win at the Sport of Business', which documented his trials and tribulations in the world of sports and business. Clearly, he wanted to help out other business people with this text, because it's not like he's making a ton of money out of this venture.

14. He Has Been a Disco Dancing Instructor

Before becoming a successful businessman, Cuban found various ways to make money. One of those ways was as a disco dance instructor. There's no word on what qualified him to teach these classes, but he had this job at different times in his early life. Now we just need to see him bust some moves on the basketball court.

14. He Has Been a Disco Dancing Instructor

Before becoming a successful businessman, Cuban found various ways to make money. One of those ways was as a disco dance instructor. There's no word on what qualified him to teach these classes, but he had this job at different times in his early life. Now we just need to see him bust some moves on the basketball court.

13. Selling Garbage Bags Was His First Business Venture

When Cuban was 12 years old, he made his first business move by selling garbage bags for money. He sold these as a way to pay for a pair of basketball shoes. That seems ironic now as he spent his money to buy an entire professional basketball franchise later in life.

13. Selling Garbage Bags Was His First Business Venture

When Cuban was 12 years old, he made his first business move by selling garbage bags for money. He sold these as a way to pay for a pair of basketball shoes. That seems ironic now as he spent his money to buy an entire professional basketball franchise later in life.

12. He Sold His First Company For $6 Million

MicroSolutions was Cuban's first major company/concept out of college and he was able to prove how successful it was enough that a group controlled by H&R Block decided to buy it from him for $6 million. Of that, he took about $2 million as earnings. Certainly, this helped catapult him to even more fame and fortune later on.

12. He Sold His First Company For $6 Million

MicroSolutions was Cuban's first major company/concept out of college and he was able to prove how successful it was enough that a group controlled by H&R Block decided to buy it from him for $6 million. Of that, he took about $2 million as earnings. Certainly, this helped catapult him to even more fame and fortune later on.

11. He Skipped His Senior Year of High School to Go to College

Cuban apparently decided that his senior year of high school was pointless (which, let's face it, is true) so he went to the University of Pittsburgh instead. After a year there, he was off to Indiana where he would attend business school. It seems like these decisions paid off pretty well for him.

11. He Skipped His Senior Year of High School to Go to College

Cuban apparently decided that his senior year of high school was pointless (which, let's face it, is true) so he went to the University of Pittsburgh instead. After a year there, he was off to Indiana where he would attend business school. It seems like these decisions paid off pretty well for him.

10. He Was Accused of Insider Trading For An Incident in 2004

Cuban was involved in a trading move in 2004 that was suspicious enough to prompt the SEC to investigate him in 2008. However, there was never enough evidence to convict Cuban of a crime and he was cleared of any wrongdoing after a jury found him not guilty.

10. He Was Accused of Insider Trading For An Incident in 2004

Cuban was involved in a trading move in 2004 that was suspicious enough to prompt the SEC to investigate him in 2008. However, there was never enough evidence to convict Cuban of a crime and he was cleared of any wrongdoing after a jury found him not guilty.

9. He Matches His NBA Fines With Charitable Donations

Due to his intense and sometimes confrontational behavior at NBA games and in post-game interviews, Cuban has been fined by the league a ton. He makes a positive out of this by matching every fine he gets and paying that money to a selected charity. So, when Cuban crosses the line, charities win.

9. He Matches His NBA Fines With Charitable Donations

Due to his intense and sometimes confrontational behavior at NBA games and in post-game interviews, Cuban has been fined by the league a ton. He makes a positive out of this by matching every fine he gets and paying that money to a selected charity. So, when Cuban crosses the line, charities win.

8. He Was Born in Pittsburgh

Cuban has spent a large amount of his professional life in Texas, but he was born far from there in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It appears that his Pittsburgh days ended when he left for Indiana University, but he still has a soft spot for his hometown. Now, if only Pittsburgh got an NBA team.

8. He Was Born in Pittsburgh

Cuban has spent a large amount of his professional life in Texas, but he was born far from there in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It appears that his Pittsburgh days ended when he left for Indiana University, but he still has a soft spot for his hometown. Now, if only Pittsburgh got an NBA team.

7. His Net Worth is Around $3 Billion

The reason Cuban was even able to buy the Mavericks in the first place was because of his enormous fortune. That fortune has grown since he purchased the franchise and now sits around $3 billion. No wonder he can afford to pay any and all fines he incurs from the league.

7. His Net Worth is Around $3 Billion

The reason Cuban was even able to buy the Mavericks in the first place was because of his enormous fortune. That fortune has grown since he purchased the franchise and now sits around $3 billion. No wonder he can afford to pay any and all fines he incurs from the league.

6. His Family Name is Actually "Chabenisky"

Originally, Cuban's family name was Chabenisky, but his grandfather changed it when the family moved from Russia to the United States and landed on Ellis Island. This was often done so that a name wasn't clearly foreign, but it may not have mattered for Cuban, whose business sense has helped him climb to the top.

6. His Family Name is Actually "Chabenisky"

Originally, Cuban's family name was Chabenisky, but his grandfather changed it when the family moved from Russia to the United States and landed on Ellis Island. This was often done so that a name wasn't clearly foreign, but it may not have mattered for Cuban, whose business sense has helped him climb to the top.

5. He Gets Asked to Run For President "Every Day"

In a recent interview, Cuban told reporters that he is asked to run for president "every day". Whether this is true or not, it's an interesting thought. As a Democratic candidate, he would join a wide open group contending for the most prestigious political position in the world. Since Cuban lacks political experience, he would be unlikely to win the nomination. However, fueled by Donald Trump's success, maybe he would stand a chance.

5. He Gets Asked to Run For President "Every Day"

In a recent interview, Cuban told reporters that he is asked to run for president "every day". Whether this is true or not, it's an interesting thought. As a Democratic candidate, he would join a wide open group contending for the most prestigious political position in the world. Since Cuban lacks political experience, he would be unlikely to win the nomination. However, fueled by Donald Trump's success, maybe he would stand a chance.

4. He Thinks He Could Beat Hillary Clinton For Democratic Nomination

Of course, Cuban is supremely self confident, so he thinks he could beat out Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Whether or not he actually could may never be known, but he certainly thinks he would stand a chance. With the Benghazi and email server controversies, maybe he could take advantage of her vulnerable political standing.

4. He Thinks He Could Beat Hillary Clinton For Democratic Nomination

Of course, Cuban is supremely self confident, so he thinks he could beat out Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Whether or not he actually could may never be known, but he certainly thinks he would stand a chance. With the Benghazi and email server controversies, maybe he could take advantage of her vulnerable political standing.

3. He Bought Mavericks From Son of Former Presidential Candidate

Speaking of presidential candidates, Cuban actually bought the Mavericks back in 2001 from the eldest son of Ross Perot. He, of course, ran for president as an independent candidate in 1992. While he didn't win, he did gain some national recognition after that run, which helped allow him to make another run in 1996 as a candidate for the Reform party.

3. He Bought Mavericks From Son of Former Presidential Candidate

Speaking of presidential candidates, Cuban actually bought the Mavericks back in 2001 from the eldest son of Ross Perot. He, of course, ran for president as an independent candidate in 1992. While he didn't win, he did gain some national recognition after that run, which helped allow him to make another run in 1996 as a candidate for the Reform party.

2. He Has Been Fined More Than $1 Million By the NBA

Cuban writes lots of checks to the NBA for fines they levy on him, perhaps more so than any other executive in the sport. Reportedly, he has been fined at least $1.665 million by the league over the course of his tenure as Mavericks owner. At least that much money also gets donated to charity based on his donation policy.

2. He Has Been Fined More Than $1 Million By the NBA

Cuban writes lots of checks to the NBA for fines they levy on him, perhaps more so than any other executive in the sport. Reportedly, he has been fined at least $1.665 million by the league over the course of his tenure as Mavericks owner. At least that much money also gets donated to charity based on his donation policy.

1. He Tried to Buy the NHL's Penguins in 2005

With a group including Dan Marino and others, Cuban tried to buy his hometown Penguins, but their bid ultimately got rejected. It would be twice the fun to see Cuban going around to games of two different sports. Just don't be surprised if he jumped over the glass at a hockey game to have a word with the referees.

1. He Tried to Buy the NHL's Penguins in 2005

With a group including Dan Marino and others, Cuban tried to buy his hometown Penguins, but their bid ultimately got rejected. It would be twice the fun to see Cuban going around to games of two different sports. Just don't be surprised if he jumped over the glass at a hockey game to have a word with the referees.