The Dallas Mavericks and the NBA as a whole lost a legend Wednesday night. Original Mavericks owner and co-founder Don Carter died at the age of 84, according to the Dallas County medical examiner.
In announcing the passing of their founder, the Mavericks themselves had nothing but great things to say.
“The entire Mavs family is heartbroken by the loss of Mr. Carter,” current Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said in a statement Thursday, via the team’s official website. “Along with his wife Mrs. Carter, they have been our guiding lights for the organization since its founding in 1980. To say he will be missed does not do justice to just how important Mr. C has been to the Dallas Mavericks and the City of Dallas. Our condolences go out to Mrs. Carter and the entire Carter family.”
Carter co-founded the franchise with Norm Sonju in 1980 after that two came up with the $12 million expansion entry fee. He quickly became the team’s first majority owner and held that role until he sold the majority stake to Ross Perot Jr. in 1996. Carter remained a minority owner (four percent) and frequented Mavericks games until his death on Wednesday.
Cuban wasn’t the only member of the organization to pay his respects to the original Maverick.
So sad. Legend. RIP https://t.co/xf0tmsz3L7
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) February 15, 2018
Our thoughts go out to Carter’s family and the entire Mavericks organization.