Mavs' Mark Cuban Reveals NBA's Previous Response to All-Star Prize Money Offer After Ishbia Remarks

After Phoenix Suns governor Mat Ishbia floated the idea of prize money for players who participate in the All-Star Game, Dallas Mavericks minority governor Mark Cuban revealed that he once attempted to execute that plan.

Cuban told Colin Salao of Front Office Sports in an email that he "offered the same thing years ago" to the late David Stern when he was the NBA's commissioner, but "was told it would be tampering." Cuban added that he wanted to "put in money to make it attractive to players to participate."

Phoenix will host All-Star Weekend next year, and Ishbia said he's prepared to do what it takes to bring as much star power to the city. During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, he was asked if he would offer a $1 million as a prize for the winners of the 2027 Slam Dunk and 3-Point Contest that would also include $1 million donations to a charity of the winner's choice, and he answered affirmatively.

"Done. Let's get the best guys in it. Let's make it awesome," Ishbia said. When asked whether he would need to run it by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, he replied, "I'm sure Silver would be supportive."

Unfortunately, ESPN's Brian Windhorst pointed out that Ishbia's idea "would run into some red tape," with officials from both the NBA league office and players' union saying that prize money "would not conform with the existing bonus structure."

Under the current CBA, the four participants in the Slam Dunk Contest receive at least $20,000, with the winner taking home $100,000. The eight participants in the 3-Point Contest receive at least $10,000, with the champion earning $60,000.

Despite the hurdles of financially incentivizing participation in All-Star Weekend, it's clear that Ishbia is motivated to bring the best competitors to next year's festivities.