Graduates from Indiana
Graduates from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
At the IU Business School I learned how to learn. When you know how to learn, then you’re a student for the rest of your life, and I think to enjoy the experience of being a student for the rest of your life is probably more valuable than anything.
Buys pub
Cuban buys a pub in Bloomington, Ind., called Motley’s. It quickly becomes a popular hangout for both Indiana University students and professors.
I would go there, underage. And then we threw a couple of parties there. The only time they had crowds in there was when we threw our parties, and I thought, well, if I can get a crowd to show up for a couple of nights, maybe we could do it more often. I took the proposition to (former IU rugby teammate) Evan Williams, and he got into the idea. We were both big proponents of beer and so, you know, I learned early you stick to the things you know. Partying and drinking were things I was excelling at, for better or worse. Evan put up more money than I did. I put up my student loan money. That’s how we started it.
Let’s Go, Mavs!
Cuban’s first children’s book, Let’s Go, Mavs!, is published by Mascot Books.
It’s all about good sportsmanship. It can be read by parents or by older kids. The message is simple but important.
Finances Sharesleuth
Finances Sharesleuth.com, a website created by former St. Louis Post-Dispatch investigative reporter Christopher Carey to uncover fraud and misinformation in publicly traded companies.
Sharesleuth.com is what it is. It’s paid for by my trading based on the information we uncover.
AXS TV
HDNet is rebranded as AXS TV (pronounced “access”). Its schedule includes music, comedy, reporting and martial arts programming. The network is owned by a consortium comprising AXS TV LLC (founded by Cuban as HDNet in 2001), Ryan Seacrest, Anschutz Entertainment Group and Creative Artists Agency.
One of our tag lines is ‘by the time you see it on YouTube, you have already missed it.’ Live programming has a unique quality in that anyone who is passionate about the artist, team or topic not only wants to see it, they want to see it as the same time as other fans and talk to them via social media, text or email.
Launches HDNet
Launches HDNet with Philip Garvin, owner of Colorado Studios and Mobile TV Group. It airs a variety of programs, all in high definition.
You don’t have to be the biggest to beat the best, but you do have to outwork the bigger players.
HDNet Fights premiers
HDNet Fights, a mixed martial arts promotion which airs exclusively on HDNet, premiers with a card headlined by a fight between Erik Paulson and Jeff Ford, as well as fights featuring veterans Drew Fickett and Justin Eilers.
Beyond live events, we have the only weekly news show dedicated to Mixed Martial Arts on television.
The Benefactor
The Benefactor, a series involving contestants trying to win $1 million by participating in various contests – with their performances being judged by Cuban – premiers on ABC.
I want every U.S. resident 21 and older to apply. Everyone has dreamed of getting rich, and I want to help one lucky person get there. This isn’t traditional contest. You don’t need special talents. I’m not looking to find out who is the grossest, funniest, prettiest, smartest or able to go without food or water the longest. The right person is going to get on my good side at the right time, and whoever that is is going to walk away with a check from me for one million dollars.
Invests in high-tech toilet seat
Cuban invests $1.3 million in Brondell Inc., a San Francisco startup making a high-tech toilet seat called a Swash that works like a bidet but mounts on a standard toilet. It cleanses with a spray of warm water, relieving people from the hassles of toilet paper, and has a heated seat. Its top-of-the-line model also comes with a warm-air dryer and a remote control.
People tend to approach technology the same way, whether it’s in front of them, or behind them. I have always been interested in innovative and cutting edge-technologies coupled with a large market opportunity.
The Benefactor canceled
The Benefactor is canceled due to poor ratings before the full season airs. It is reduced to six episodes from an intended eight. A letter from Donald Trump to Cuban following the announcement read:
I am truly sorry to hear that your show has been canceled for lack of ratings. When I initially called you to congratulate you on The Benefactor, little did you or I realize how disastrous and embarrassing it would turn out to be for you. If you ever decide to do another show, please call me and I will be happy to lend a helping hand.
Fined for yell
Cuban is fined $25,000 by the NBA for yelling at Denver Nuggets’ J.R. Smith at the end of the first half of the Mavericks-at-Nuggets game played on January 13. Cuban was apparently incensed that Smith had thrown an elbow that barely missed Mavericks forward Antoine Wright.
The NBA tells me a tech should have been called on you for throwing the elbow and that I should pay a 25k dollar fine because owners aren’t supposed to get mad. Ever.
Sues UFL over $5 million loan
Cuban files a federal lawsuit against the United Football League for their failure to repay a $5 million loan by the October 6, 2010 deadline. Cuban refuses to comment, but UFL spokesperson Michael Preston says:
As we have said previously, we like many companies regrettably do not always meet our intended turnaround on payments in these tough economic times when we find ourselves behind in cash flow. We like all new businesses are not immune from the effects of a stagnant economy.
Loans UFL $5 million
Loans the newly formed United Football League (UFL) $5 million. He will not own a franchise or be involved in the day-to-day operations of the league or of any of its teams.
I didn’t want to take on the responsibility of a franchise. It will make things really interesting, potentially. Now if there’s not a lockout, it’s a valid league.
Overpass collapse: at least two dead
At least two people are killed and at least 15 people injured when an overpass collapses in the Brazilian World Cup host city of Belo Horizonte. A city bus and several vehicles were crushed after a part of a bridge, which was under construction, fell onto a busy highway. The overpass, which was supposed to have been completed in time for the tournament, is almost four miles from the Estadio Mineirao, where next Tuesday’s semifinal matchup between the winners of France/Germany and Brazil/Colombia will take place.
Apologizes for bite
Suarez offers a public apology for biting Giorgio Chiellini in Uruguay’s World Cup game against Italy on June 24. The apology comes after Suarez was banned for nine games and suspended from all soccer-related activities for four months for the incident.
The truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me. For this I deeply regret what occurred. I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like this.
Netherlands come back, beat Mexico
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scores an injury-time penalty to give the Netherlands a 2-1 win over Mexico and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals. It is awarded after Rafael Marquez brings down Arjen Robben in the area. Giovani Dos Santos gives the Mexicans the lead in the 48th minute, but Wesley Sneijder equalizes for the Dutch in the 88th minute. Says Huntelaar, who makes his first appearance at this year’s World Cup:
You don’t know when your chance will come, but it was today, and so you grab it with both hands. And it was fantastic.
Bailoutsleuth.com
Starts Bailoutsleuth.com, a grassroots online portal for overseeing the U.S. government’s $700 billion bailout of financial institutions.
Transparency is key to the success of the Bailout and related loans and investments the government makes with our tax dollars. Without complete transparency, we will get from our government what we always get when it comes to finances – confusion.
Record e-commerce jet purchase
Cuban is credited with the largest single e-commerce transaction by The Guinness Book of Records after he pays $40 million for his Gulfstream V jet.
Since I’ve owned the GV there are too many examples to count of how the airplane has helped me. Flying out after a late-night game to be at a meeting the next morning. Leaving a meeting to get home in time for my daughter’s first daddy-daughter dance. It’s part of my life that I can’t be without.
Announces Stimulus Plan
Announces what he calls the Mark Cuban Stimulus Plan, which entails people posting ideas that fit certain criteria with the hope that he will either fund them, or other individuals will take up the ideas.
The idea is not just to help you, but to figure out how to help the economy through hard work and ingenuity. If you come up with the idea and get funding, you have a head start. If you execute better than others, you could possibly make money at it.
Keeps Magnolia and Landmark
Cuban decides to keep Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures after failing to attract bids for the assets.
We haven’t received any offers. For the right price we would still sell.