Mark Cuban and the Top 10 Coolest Current Owners in Sports

Heading into this season, Mark Cuban was one of the most annoying owners in sports. He would attend just about every single game and whine and yell at the referees. He was one of the most outspoken owners in sports history.

Yet this year, he finally took a backseat to the team. No longer was he the complaining showman we were accustomed to seeing. Nope. He let Rick Carlisle and Dirk Nowitzki lead this team.

In doing so, the Mavericks were finally able to win their first NBA Championship.

Now, Cuban is finally getting the credit he deserves, which is to be declared one of the greatest owners in sports.

He is footing the bill for the celebration ceremonies. He did everything in his power since becoming owner to give Dallas an NBA Championship.

If you ask me, in light of the controversies he may have caused in the past, he has always been one of the coolest owners ever. He does almost everything any one of us crazed sports fanatics would if they too owned a sports team.

From attending games, to making transaction decisions, to speaking to the media, we all know we would act the same way.

This got us thinking—where does he rank among the top 10 coolest current owners in all of sports?

10. Bud Adams, Tennessee Titans

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 28: Bud Adams, owner of the Tennessee Titans talks with visitors in his siute at Reliant Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Why is Bud Adams on this list?

Passion.

How many other owners would get so caught up in an event that he would actually flip off the opposing crowd?

Just one: Bud Adams.

How many would do it during a 41-17 victory?

Just one: Bud Adams.

See, when you take it to that level of passion, you’re cool in my book.

9. Dan Gilbert, Cleveland Cavaliers

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 27: Majority owner Dan Gilbert of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media prior to playing the Boston Celtics in the Cavaliers 2010 home opner at Quicken Loans Arena on October 27, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expre

Dan Gilbert wasn’t cool until LeBron James deserted his Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, he’s awesome.

Immediately following "The Decision," Gilbert put out one of the most hate-filled letters ever written in sports history.

Ever since "King" James left, Dan has been on a mission to destroy his image, legacy and the Heat organization. He said the Cavs would win a Championship before the Heat. He immediately tweeted negative words after Miami lost the NBA Finals to Dallas.

He used his sick son for good luck at the NBA Draft Lottery and was awarded two of the top four selections—and was visibly ecstatic because of it.

You need to stop complaining about LeBron, Dan, because he made you who you are today: cool as a cucumber.

8. The Steinbrenners, New York Yankees

Pool/Getty Images

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: Members of the Steinbrenner family pose for photographers following a ceremony dedicating a monument to the late Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner before the Yankees baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September

What makes Hank and Hal Steinbrenner cool?

Well, it certainly isn’t calling out your players.

Honestly, not much other than the fact that they’re the sons of the greatest owner ever, George, and now own the greatest organization ever, the Yankees.

Yeah, you know they’d be the coolest kids in your class.

7. Mikhail Prokhorov, New Jersey Nets

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MAY 19: New Jersey Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov addresses the media during a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel on May 19, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Mikhail Prokhorov is one of the richest men in the world and made a splash in the sports world when he bought the Nets. He seems more like Russia’s version of James Bond than anything else, though.

I mean, come on; the man just commands respect. He is big on martial arts, which means he could take out any other owner with his bare hands.

He made headlines by trying to woo the top superstars of the NBA with his sales pitch of global fame and fortune. He is not afraid to wield his wallet, and may even start wielding a kendo stick if he doesn’t bring in another superstar to help Deron Williams this season.

Prokhorov is a man on the mission to turn a dump from Jersey into the hottest team in Brooklyn.

Quite cool.

6. The Rooney Family, Pittsburgh Steelers

Al Bello/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Owner Dan Rooney (L) and Team president Art Rooney II (2ndL) of the Pittsburgh Steelers recieve the Lamar Hunt Trophy as CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz looks on after their 24 to 19 win over the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Cham

The Rooney family doesn’t come with the same flash or pizzazz as the other owners on this list.

Sometimes, we forget that well-run, classy and winning organizations are just flat-out cool—and that is the brand of success the Rooney family has built for themselves and their Steelers team.

The Steelers are arguably the most dominant organization ever in football with six Super Bowl Championships. Since 2005, they have three Super Bowl appearances and two championships under their belt. They are one of the most consistently well-run and successful organizations in all of sports, and especially the NFL.

Now that’s cool.

5. Al Davis, Oakland Raiders

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a press conference on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired Tom Cable. (Photo by Justin Sul

Al Davis is absolutely bat-crazy.

As much hate as he receives, you know you’re jealous.

He is on the verge of death, or so it seems, and is still living the dream. He runs the organization how he wants—into the ground, depending on who you ask—but still fulfilling his vision.

One day, speed will truly kill, and Al Davis will be laughing at all of us.

Dude is straight ballin’ right now in his wheelchair. He makes draft decisions and play calls from his lair, which is exactly what I would want to do, too. I too would cling on to every inch of ownership if I owned a team; til death do us part, I say!

There’s not many who can do what Al does at this stage of his life, and for that, that makes him cool.

4. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys

Handout/Getty Images

IRVING, TX - CIRCA 2010: In this handout image provided by the NFL, President, owner and general manager Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys poses for his 2010 NFL headshot circa 2010 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by NFL via Getty Images)

Jerry Jones’ budget knows no boundaries. He spent his own money to build the greatest stadium ever assembled. It is more like an amusement park than a football stadium.

He is passionate and dedicated to his Cowboys and wants nothing more than to see them victorious. He is the true face of the franchise and even made a cameo appearance on HBO’s hit show, "Entourage."

Dallas doesn’t even need a general manager, because we all know Jerry calls all of the shots in his palace.

A lot of people hate on Jerry for the way he acts, but I’d be right there with him.

3. Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Jordan, owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, throws the ball back to an official during their game against the San Antonio Spurs at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 8, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: U

Is Michael Jordan a good owner? Not particularly.

But in the end, he’s Michael freakin’ Jordan!

This is the man we all looked up to during his prime. He is the greatest damn basketball player who ever lived.

Six NBA Championships and Finals MVP awards in six appearances.

The star of Space Jam!

The gold loop earring, for crying out loud!

Hell, the man can still ball better than everybody on the team he owns.

Jordan is God.

There’s not much else to it.

2. Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Team Owner Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks celebrates as his team is presented with the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Mavericks won 105-95 against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on Ju

As cocky and annoying as some may feel Mark Cuban is, he is what every sports owner should thrive to be. If I were a sports owner, I’d probably be the exact same way, albeit a bit less outspoken.

Cuban is always willing to do and spend what it takes to win—he has dedicated his life as the Mavericks owner to see to it that they win a championship for the first time in franchise history. He attends just about every single game, which might be every fan’s dream in itself. Like Jerry Jones, he too made a cameo appearance on "Entourage."

When the Mavericks beat the Heat this past Sunday, I couldn’t have been happier for him. He has seen his team struggle time and time again and never stood around waiting for one era to pan out. He continuously made trades and brought in free agents to find the right nucleus for success.

Just as important, he gives back to his players and fans. He spent over $100,000 celebrating with his players Sunday night. He is also footing the bill for Dallas’ championship parade.

Especially now, after taking a backseat to the team this year, he is the owner every player would want to play for.

1. Vince McMahon, WWE

Mark A. Wallenfang/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - JUNE 22: Vince McMahon attends a press conference about the WWE at the Austin Straubel International Airport on June 22, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mark A. Wallenfang/Getty Images)

Is there really a more dedicated owner in sports than Vince McMahon?

No chance in hell.

As much heat as Vince takes from the Internet wrestling community and the media, he has a passion for sports and entertainment. How many owners would let them get abused and humiliated to put over their top star like he did in the late 1990’s with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin?

How many owners would let themselves lose to another billionaire like he did at "WrestleMania" when he let Donald Trump shave his head bald?

Vince may hog TV times, but he does what is best for his business. He is one of the smartest businessmen ever in addition to being one of the greatest on-air personalities for his industry, which sets the tone for the rest of the company.