Disillusioned with the Dallas Mavericks’ current leadership, many fans are calling for the return of local hero Mark Cuban. In a blockbuster move last year, the team traded franchise superstar Luka Doncic for a meager return, then flipped those assets for an even worse package at this year’s trade deadline. While a recent report hinted that the former billionaire owner might’ve found a way back in, unfortunately, that door seems to have slammed shut.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, a source close to Dumont said, “The team is not for sale, and the (Adelson and Dumont) families look forward to expanding their ownership stake over time.”

The comment serves as a direct response to a recent report from Stein suggesting that an unidentified investment group based in Dallas was seeking a partnership with Cuban to buy back the Mavericks from Dumont. While there were no concrete details on an offer or confirmed negotiations, the idea quickly gained traction.

Cuban still owns about 27% of the team as a minority owner after selling most of his stake for about $3.5 billion in 2023. He reportedly did that with the understanding that he would continue overseeing basketball operations. According to Cuban, however, the league prevented this from happening.

“We tried to put it in the contract, but the NBA said the governor is the governor, and they make all final decisions,” Cuban said last year. “I was involved and then we went on this run where we went to the Finals, and rather than trying to interject myself all the time, I was like, ‘I don’t want to get in the way, we’re rolling.’ And that was a mistake.”

For now, it seems a potential return to the helm for Cuban is out of the question.

Mark Cuban acknowledges buyer interest but doubts the Mavericks are truly for sale

In an interview with Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, Mark Cuban confirmed part of the viral Stein report about repurchasing the Mavericks.

“I have been contacted by multiple groups and individuals who have interest in buying the Mavs,” Cuban said. “[But] I don’t know who the report was talking about.”

Cuban expressed skepticism that the current ownership group has any interest in selling its stake so soon after acquiring majority control in 2023, and this aligns with Stein and Townsend, both of whom have reiterated that Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family seem committed to the franchise in the long term.

There’s also a timeline working in Dumont’s favor.

The Mavericks have until December 2027 to buy out 20% of Cuban’s remaining 27% share, and there are several indications that they wish to acquire at least a part of that stake. This could further dissolve Cuban’s influence, solidifying Dumont’s group’s control of the franchise.

According to Stein, Miriam Adelson and the Dumont family are “excited about the future of the franchise and the Cooper Flagg era.”

Earlier this week, the Mavericks retained CAA Sports to lead the commercial strategy for the new arena and surrounding development, which the owners hope will encompass 50 acres in downtown Dallas or the Valley View Center property at Preston Road and Interstate 635.

Dumont is reportedly expected to be elevated from COO to CEO of the Las Vegas Sands, a company founded by his late father-in-law, Sheldon Adelson. Reports also suggest that Mavericks owners plan to build a new casino resort in North Texas if the state legalizes gambling.

So, for all you Cuban optimists, there doesn’t seem to be any chance of the billionaire returning anytime soon.