Inside Look: Dallas Mavs Ball Raises $1.8 Million for Charity - 'Double It!'
DALLAS - The Dallas Mavericks traded their shorts for tuxedos to strut the blue carpet on a star-studded Friday evening at the premier fundraising event for the Mavs Foundation. The Mavs Ball started eight years ago, but it was recently-acquired Kyrie Irving's first.
Irving brought his daughter and walked away as big winners. Irving bid $25,000 for a State Fair of Texas visit with teammates Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell ... A perfect Texas tradition for the new resident.
And then there was a game of "double it!'' that ended up pushing the total for charity to $1.8 million.
"Any time you get a chance to raise money for the community and the foundation, that is always a good thing," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said on the blue carpet. "Anytime you can bring the players and fans together, that is going to be fun. And anytime you get (music group) Kool & The Gang, that is always a win. I'm excited."
Mavs fans had the chance to bid on unique experiences like a round of golf with Coach Jason Kidd and Dallas play-by-play Chuck Cooperstein. More items included:
- Exclusive backstage pass to the closed set of a Shark Tank taping in Los Angeles with Mavs owner Mark Cuban and the other sharks.
- Spending a day in the life of the Mavs GM Nico Harrison.
- A trip to Spain for two: Tag along with the team as they venture internationally to their Fall 2023 Real Madrid Exhibition Game at WiZink Center in Madrid, Spain
Music group Kool & The Gang kept the party going while attendees bid on legendary autographed collectibles, game worn jerseys and art specifically created for Mavs Fans.
In total, again, $1.8 million was raised for the Mavs foundation.
CEO Cynt Marshall, Coach Jason Kidd and Cuban enjoyed the festivities. Former Mavs in attendance included J.J. Barea, Shawn Marion, Rolando Blackman, Darrell Armstrong, Derek Harper, Courtney Lee, Charlie Villanueva and Michael Finley.
Check out the videos and photos below for an inside look into the glam evening.
Over the past 26 years, the Mavs Foundation has provided grant funding totaling more than $9 million dollars to nonprofit organizations serving women, children and families in need. In addition to grants, the Mavs Foundation has built 54 safe Learn & Play spaces throughout the North Texas community, including 31 basketball courts and 23 Reading & Learning Centers. These spaces are designed to encourage healthy living and provide a safe place for children and residents, as well as expand learning opportunities and access to technology to support youth education programs, teen and adults job-skill training and other critical programs. Learn more at MavsFoundation.com.
