Billionaire Entrepreneur Mark Cuban Joins CEBL, Brampton Ownership Group

CEBL Staff • May 7, 2026

The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that billionaire entrepreneur, former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and former co-star of the Emmy award winning TV show Shark Tank, Mark Cuban has joined the Brampton Honey Badgers ownership group.


Cuban’s career has spanned a wide range of business ventures, with the Brampton Honey Badgers being among the latest. In the sports world, Cuban is most notably known as the former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, a position he held until he sold his majority stake in 2023, though still holding roughly 27% ownership of the organization. 


Cuban played an active role in the Mavericks success over his ownership tenure, contributing to their 2011 NBA championship. He is credited for his willingness to spend to acquire top talent, fostering team chemistry, building a “family-like” atmosphere, and pushing boundaries in an effort to improve the game he loves.


“Canadian basketball is probably the most underappreciated in the world,” said Cuban. “The talent here is through the roof and getting better by the day. The CEBL offers all of Canada the chance to see that amazing talent on display in exciting games that are fun and affordable for the entire family. I’m excited to be part of this team, help build the Brampton fanbase, and to bring some of the same fun we had in Dallas to the Toronto area!”


Many people will also recognize Mark Cuban from his 13-year career on Shark Tank, where he sat on a panel as one of five investors, listening to small companies’ presentations and pitches asking for investment. 


More recently, Cuban co-founded Cost Plus Drugs in 2022, a public benefit corporation focused on providing pharmaceutical drugs to the public at a much lower cost. 


The Vancouver Bandits are one of 10 teams across Canada and a founding franchise of the CEBL.  Boasting one of Canada’s strongest and most engaging fan bases, the team and league have quickly established a reputation as one of British Columbia’s most exciting and dynamic live event offerings.


Launched in May of 2018 and playing its first season in 2019, the CEBL is Canada's largest professional sports league with additional franchises in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Brampton, Niagara (St. Catharines), Scarborough (Toronto), Ottawa and Montréal.


“Mark Cuban joining the CEBL is another significant step forward for the growth and long-term credibility of our league,” said Dylan Kular, Vancouver Bandits team president. “When someone with Mark’s experience and global reputation in professional sports chooses to invest in Canadian basketball, it reinforces the momentum that organizations like the Bandits and teams across the CEBL have worked hard to build over the past several years. It elevates the visibility of our league, creates new opportunities for all member clubs, and further validates the passion our fans, partners and communities have shown across Canada.”


The Bandits open their eighth  CEBL season on Thursday, May 14 on the road in Saskatoon before coming home for its Home Opener against the Edmonton Stingers on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. PT at Envision Financial Court at Langley Events Centre. A full game schedule can be viewed here.


Bandits Single Game Tickets and additional 2026 ticket options can be purchased here.


All CEBL regular season games including playoffs will be live-streamed on the CEBL’s OTT platform, CEBL+, the CEBL Mobile app, the CBC Gem app and the CBC Sports YouTube channel. Marquee games will air nationally on CBC TV.


More information is available at thebandits.ca and @vancouverbandits on Instagram and TikTok, as well as @vancitybandits on Facebook and Twitter.

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Vancouver Bandits, FortisBC, I SPARC Host Youth Basketball Camp in Williams Lake

By Bandits Staff • September 10, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits, BC’s professional basketball team, hosted a youth basketball camp on Wednesday, September 9 in Williams Lake, in partnership with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) and FortisBC. The Bandits welcomed over 40 local athletes and their families to the camp, with the main goal of building confidence, inspiring young athletes, and bringing youth sports development and mentorship to athletes across the province. Held at Lake City Secondary, the camp marked the first community visit by BC’s professional basketball team to the Cariboo region, bringing more basketball to more people across our province. “Community is a core pillar of the Bandits organization, and we are proud to host camps and opportunities that help shape and inspire the next generation of players and leaders,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “Thank you to our partners at I∙SPARC and FortisBC for their support in bringing this camp to fruition, and to the Williams Lake basketball community for welcoming our team this week.” "We're proud to support opportunities that help young people build confidence, strengthen their skills and create lasting connections," said Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives at FortisBC. "Through initiatives like this basketball camp, Indigenous youth can connect with peers and mentors, develop new skills and experience the positive impact that sport can have on confidence, leadership and a sense of belonging.” The free-of-charge camp was part of the Indigenous Basketball Collective, representing the ongoing collaboration between I∙SPARC and the Vancouver Bandits. Established in 2023, ongoing and past projects through the Collective include camps and clinics for Indigenous youth and coaches, building new basketball courts in Indigenous communities, and hosting the 2026 Junior All Native Basketball Tournament.

Bandits Guard Jarkel Joiner Signs Exhibit 10 Contract With Charlotte Hornets

By Bandits Staff • September 4, 2026
Vancouver Bandits guard Jarkel Joiner has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media . During his time with the Bandits in the 2026 season, Joiner made 21 appearances, including 13 starts, and finished with 16.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals per games. Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.

Former Bandits Guard Kyle Mangas Signs Exhibit 10 Contract with Charlotte Hornets

By Bandits Staff • September 3, 2026
Former Vancouver Bandits guard Kyle Mangas has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets. The news was announced by the Hornets on social media. Mangas is expected to practice and compete with the Hornets during the 2026-27 Training Camp and preseason from October 3rd to 12th. During his time with the Bandits in the 2025 season, Mangas finished top five on the team in points (15.3), rebounds (4.6), assists (3.3) and steals (1.3). Introduced in the NBA’s 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 10 contracts are one-year deals. They can include a potential bonus if the player spends time with the team’s G League affiliate.

Bandits Unveil Newly Refurbished Basketball Court in South Vancouver

By Bandits Staff • September 1, 2026
The Vancouver Bandits have partnered with the Vancouver Park Board, Bandits Community Foundation and Little Legends Foundation to unveil a newly renovated outdoor basketball court at Grays Park in South Vancouver. Part of the Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative, the team officially unveiled the refurbished court on Saturday (August 30). The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a free youth basketball clinic led by local coaches. Attendees also enjoyed a complimentary BBQ lunch, free haircuts and massages, and free backpacks and school supplies distributed for local youth. “The Bandits Community Foundation’s Court Projects initiative was designed to build and enhance public outdoor courts,” said Vancouver Bandits team president Dylan Kular. “The love for the game grows in spaces like Grays Park. This project would not have been possible without the support of our community partners. We will continue to enhance outdoor public courts, make them more inviting, and create stronger communities through basketball.” “Over the past few years, we have been trying to build one of the nicest courts here in South Vancouver for the community,” said community leader Spensir Sangara. “We recognized that Grays Park was one of the few neighbourhood parks without a quality basketball court for the community. Thank you to our businesses and donors who came together to make our vision a reality. This court is filled with a rich basketball culture and this is a legendary day for our community.” “When the Vancouver Bandits approached the Vancouver Park Board with the idea to upgrade this park, it seemed like the right fit and partner to help renew an important asset in a community where basketball plays such an important role,” said Vancouver Park Board Director of Business Services John Brodie. “Thank you to the Bandits and our partners for their generous contributions, and for being examples of what having a strong, community-oriented mission looks like.” The court refurbishment at Grays Park, located at 4850 St. Catherines Street in Vancouver, includes upgrades to the basketball hoops, playing area resurfacing and seating areas. Grays Park was identified as one of Vancouver’s most active outdoor basketball spaces, and community feedback strongly supported the refurbishment. Established in October 2023, the goal of Court Projects is to enhance outdoor basketball courts across British Columbia, creating productive and safe spaces for individuals to play while enriching local basketball at the community level. To date, this partnered team effort has featured the construction and installation of six brand new outdoor basketball courts and upgrading hundreds of basketball rims in communities across BC.​​

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