Dallas Mavericks Hold High Ticket Prices Despite Struggles

The Dallas Mavericks, currently facing a challenging season with a record of 13-23 as of January 5, 2024, maintain some of the highest ticket prices in the NBA. According to data from ticket broker SeatGeek, the average cost of attending a Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center is approximately $215, ranking fifth highest in the league.

Leading the list are the Los Angeles Lakers, with an average ticket price of $365.75, followed by the Golden State Warriors at $279.47, the Boston Celtics at $247.96, and the New York Knicks at $238.49. Despite their current performance, Mavericks fans continue to pay a premium to see their team play.

Recent Changes Impacting the Mavericks

Two significant events have marked the Mavericks’ recent history, potentially influencing ticket prices. In February 2024, the team traded star player Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a three-team deal. Dončić, now playing under a three-year, $165 million contract, could see his earnings rise to a record-setting $417 million by 2028. Prior to this trade, he had signed a five-year, $207 million deal with the Mavericks.

In 2024, Dallas billionaire Mark Cuban sold a majority stake in the team to the family of Las Vegas casino mogul Miriam Adelson for approximately $3.5 billion. Cuban retained a 27 percent minority stake and continues to oversee basketball operations. He expressed that the decision to sell stemmed from the pressures of managing a professional sports team, particularly during challenging seasons. “When you’re having a bad season — you see the hate on social media. I just don’t want [my three children] to put up with that abuse,” he stated.

Comparative Ticket Prices and Team Valuation

Despite these changes, the Mavericks have not seen a significant drop in ticket prices. In fact, attending games for Texas’ other NBA teams, the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets, proves to be more affordable. The average ticket for a Spurs game costs $141, placing them at 12th in the NBA rankings, while the Rockets stand at 23rd with an average price of $95.50. Notably, both Texas teams currently enjoy winning records.

To the north, the Oklahoma City Thunder boast the best NBA record at 30-6 as of January 5, 2024, with average ticket prices set at $137, ranking them between the Spurs and Rockets.

While the Mavericks have the highest ticket prices among Texas teams, they do not rank as the most valuable franchise in the state. According to Forbes, the Houston Rockets hold that title with a valuation of $5.9 billion, making them the seventh most valuable team in the league. The Mavericks follow closely with a valuation of $5.1 billion, securing the 13th spot, while the Spurs are valued at $4.4 billion, placing them 19th. The most valuable NBA franchise overall remains the Golden State Warriors, valued at $11 billion.

Despite their struggles, the Dallas Mavericks continue to command high ticket prices, reflecting the enduring loyalty of their fan base and the high stakes of professional basketball.