Despite Rejecting $5.1 Billion Rich Owner, Dirk Nowitzki Chose to Be Closer to Business Mogul Through $5.75 Million Purchase

Published 09/04/2023, 10:50 AM EDT

Dirk Nowitzki was still a rookie in the NBA when the Dallas Mavericks came under new ownership. He’d go on to elevate the franchise, make the ownership a lot of money, and earn millions himself. The German-born Hall-of-Famer would put his roots down in Dallas in a big way even after he retired from the league. However, around the time the ‘Dunking Deutschman‘ was ready to leave the Mavs behind, he made a jaw-dropping purchase. That kept him close to Mavericks’ head honcho, Mark Cuban. But there was a time when Nowitzki snubbed his boss.

Nowitzki made a home in Dallas by literally buying a home in the most prestigious neighborhood of Mavs nation.

Dirk Nowitzki’s presidential purchase in Dallas

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After four seasons in Europe, Dirk Nowitzki moved to the US in 1998. He signed with the Dallas Mavericks and spent his entire NBA career with the franchise. ‘The Germanator’s’ era was the greatest in the franchise so far. It was also when the team was under new ownership.

Dallas adores the 2011 champion so much, that the city named a street after him. In April 2019, Nowitzki suited up for the Mavs a final time. But that was not the end of his connection to D-Town.

Months after his retirement, Dallas news outlets reported Nowitzki’s massive real estate purchase. As of late 2019, Nowitzki owns a storied property in a neighborhood referred to as Preston Hollow. If that name rings a bell, it’s for good reason.

Preston Hollow isn’t just known for sprawling gated properties. It’s also been home to D-Town’s biggest celebrities. The North Dallas neighborhood’s most famous residents are from the Bush family. Former POTUS, George W. Bush, lived there along with several prominent politicians. Even numerous Dallas sports stars have swept up homes in the area, including the Mavs current cornerstone, Luka Doncic.

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Another notable connection this neighborhood has to the Mavs is Mark Cuban. The Mavericks owner bought a home there in 1999 for $17.6 million. That preceded his next big purchase he closed a year later. However, the $5.1 billion worth Cuban was rejected by Nowitzki early on in his tenure as the Mavs owner.

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Dirk Nowitzki didn’t want to drink with the new owner

In 2000, the Dallas Mavericks were sold to longtime fan, Mark Cuban, for $285 million. Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash were the newest acquisitions at that time, bursting with potential to revitalize the franchise. But both athletes’ first meeting with the new boss didn’t go as planned.

The Shark Tank entrepreneur would reveal that the day before his purchase of the team was announced, “I saw Steve and Dirk and offered to buy them a beer. And they graciously denied me.” None of the people involved would explain why, but the owner and his players would form a stronger friendship going forward.

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After all, Nowitzki didn’t mind living next door to Cuban after retiring. The $5.75 million Preston Hollow home he purchased belonged to another billionaire, Charles Wyly, who passed away in 2011, the year the Mavericks won their first title under Nowitzki. Perhaps Dirk and Mark have hung out more often since then.

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Written by:

Caroline John is an NBA writer at EssentiallySports. She has been covering athletes outside the sports arena since the start of her reporting career. A writer at heart, she graduated with a degree in journalism from a reputed university.

Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth

Despite Rejecting $5.1 Billion Rich Owner, Dirk Nowitzki Chose to Be Closer to Business Mogul Through $5.75 Million Purchase

Dirk Nowitzki’s presidential purchase in Dallas

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Dirk Nowitzki didn’t want to drink with the new owner