Mark Cuban defends tanking, criticizes NBA punishments

The Mavericks owner says the league should focus more on fan experience than integrity issues around tanking.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Mark Cuban, the minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, wrote lengthy social media posts defending tanking and criticizing the NBA for punishing teams that appear to be losing on purpose to improve their draft lottery odds. Cuban argued that fans care more about the overall experience than the specific game outcomes, and the league should focus more on affordability than integrity issues around tanking.

Why it matters

Tanking has been a controversial topic in the NBA, with the league trying to discourage the practice through fines and the threat of losing draft picks. Cuban's comments challenge the league's stance and suggest a different approach focused more on the fan experience than competitive integrity.

The details

Cuban wrote that the "worst" the NBA does is fine teams if they "don't lie to your fans about what you are doing" when tanking is obvious. He cited the recent $500,000 fine for the Utah Jazz and $100,000 fine for the Indiana Pacers over roster management decisions. Cuban argued that fans don't remember specific game details but rather the overall experience, so the league should focus more on affordability than tanking. He also noted that current salary cap rules make productive rookies even more valuable for winning rosters.

  • On February 18, 2026, Mark Cuban wrote the social media posts criticizing the NBA's stance on tanking.

The players

Mark Cuban

The minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks who wrote the social media posts defending tanking and criticizing the NBA's punishments for the practice.

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner who said the league was considering changes to the draft lottery and the possibility of revoking picks to discourage tanking.

Kevin Pritchard

The president of basketball operations for the Indiana Pacers, whose team was fined $100,000 by the NBA over roster management decisions.

Luka Doncic

The generational superstar who the Dallas Mavericks traded away last year.

Anthony Davis

The oft-injured big man the Mavericks acquired in the trade for Luka Doncic.

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What they’re saying

“The worst that the NBA dishes out is that if you don't lie to your fans about what you are doing, even though it's obvious to them, you get fined. And (they) threaten you with losing picks.”

— Mark Cuban, Minority owner, Dallas Mavericks (X)

“Few can remember the score from the last game they saw or went to. They can't remember the dunks or shots. What they remember is who they were with. Their family, friends, a date. That's what makes the experience special.”

— Mark Cuban, Minority owner, Dallas Mavericks (X)

“The NBA should worry more about fan experience than tanking. It should worry more about pricing fans out of games than tanking.”

— Mark Cuban, Minority owner, Dallas Mavericks (X)

What’s next

The NBA is expected to consider changes to the draft lottery and potential penalties for tanking in the coming months.

The takeaway

Mark Cuban's defense of tanking and criticism of the NBA's approach highlights the ongoing debate around the practice, with the league trying to maintain competitive integrity while team owners prioritize improving their rosters and fan experience.