Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, expressed his dismay upon learning that some of his employees were reliant on government aid programs.

What Happened: Cuban was surprised to discover that a number of his arena staff were on public assistance. 

“When I found out I had employees at our arena on public assistance, I immediately gave raises to every hourly employee and their managers,” Cuban stated, expressing his embarrassment over the situation.

As per the report by Insider, Cuban, who has owned the majority stake in the Mavericks since 2000, chastised large employers for paying their full-time employees so little that they qualify for Medicaid.

He proposed that the most effective way to reduce Medicaid costs is to publicly expose such employers.

This revelation comes amidst President Donald Trump‘s push for his “Big Beautiful Bill” to be passed by July 4. The proposed legislation would impose significant restrictions on Medicaid, a healthcare program relied upon by over 70 million Americans.

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Cuban, a known critic of Trump, contended that Medicaid reductions should come from employers, not legislation. He suggested that CEOs could afford to lift their employees off Medicaid by accepting less profit and asking shareholders to increase the price-to-earnings ratio they receive.

Why It Matters: Cuban’s actions highlight a growing concern about wage disparity and the reliance of full-time workers on government aid. His decision to increase wages for his employees not only addresses the immediate issue but also calls attention to the broader problem.

By advocating for CEOs to accept less profit and increase the price-to-earnings ratio for shareholders, Cuban is challenging the status quo and prompting a discussion about corporate responsibility and fair wages.

This could potentially influence other employers to reconsider their wage policies and reduce the burden on government aid programs.

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