Report: Luka Doncic trade causing Dallas Mavericks 9-figure losses

ESPN insider Tim MacMahon outlined a grim financial outlook for the Dallas Mavericks after their Luka Doncic trade fiasco.

Report: Luka Doncic trade causing Dallas Mavericks 9-figure losses

Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks

The Luka Doncic trade to the Los Angeles Lakers is easily the most shocking transaction in the NBA this century. It was the first time in league history that an NBA Finals team traded its best player before his prime. The trade didn’t only gut the Dallas Mavericks roster; the team’s off-court viability also took a big hit.

ESPN’s Dallas-based insider Tim MacMahon released a report today on the aftermath of the trade from Doncic’s perspective. The news piece dug deep into the Slovenian’s association with the city and its fanbase.

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Doncic was, for all intents and purposes, universally popular the same way as his new teammate LeBron James once was in Cleveland. The sudden nature of his severing of ties with Dallas has disillusioned the fanbase. The team’s marketability has taken a big hit as well.

Doncic had been been marketed for the better part of seven years as the franchise’s spiritual successor to Dirk Nowitzki. With his departure, a number of sponsors associated with the Slovenian sensation have taken their business elsewhere.

The team has had many season ticket holders cancel their subscriptions. Trading Doncic, whose jersey was routinely a top-10 sold item, also affects the team’s merchandise sales. According to MacMahon, the Mavericks are projected to lose hundreds of millions because of the trade.

Team sources told ESPN that (the decision) probably will cost the franchise nine figures over the next several years, as the Mavs are projected to lose dozens of millions in revenue this season due to dwindling crowds, plummeting merchandise sales and sponsors severing ties with the franchise in the wake of the trade. So many fans canceled season tickets in the days after the trade that the Mavs attempted to generate some goodwill by offering limited refunds.

Tim MacMahon reported

The report will hardly come as a surprise to any fans plugged into the sport. Doncic is possibly the most exciting guard to be playing the game today. With Stephen Curry riding into the twilight years of his career, Doncic’s vibrant, skill-based playstyle combined with the Lakers’ brand recognition makes for a match made in heaven. While Anthony Davis is undoubtedly a comparable basketball talent, he was never a crowd drawer that Doncic has proved to be since the age of 18.

Luka Doncic blocked his sponsors from pursuing deals with the Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are planning to honor Doncic on his return to American Airlines Center with a video tribute tonight. According to MacMahon, the reigning Magic Johnson Trophy winner blocked his sponsors from capitalizing on his return to his former homecourt.

 Team sources told ESPN that the Mavs had also lined up lucrative sponsorship deals for Wednesday’s game, with multiple companies that Doncic endorses, but those deals fell apart after Doncic’s camp declined to give its blessing, pointedly noting that he now plays for the Lakers.

Tim MacMahon reported

Neither Nico Harrison nor Doncic have made any attempt to hide their contempt for each other. The no. 3 pick in the 2018 NBA draft appeared to be jawing at Harrison during his first career game against Dallas in February.

Harrison, for his part, has been releasing a number of deplorable soundbites about his former franchise player. Both Harrison and the team’s controlling owner Sheldon Adelson made pointed statements regarding Doncic’s work ethic in the wake of sending him to the Lakers. There has been a concerted attempt to overplay Doncic’s dietary attitude and his playing weight.