Dallas Mavericks owner, billionaire businessman, and philanthropist Mark Cuban has been added to the expanding list of high profile members on the Advisory Board of Athlete Ally, a nonprofit group dedicated to fighting homophobia in sports and in general.
Cuban, who also owns the theatrical distribution company Magnolia Pictures and the art-house movie theatre chain Landmark Theatres, has signed on to advise the group on its various forms of programming, according to a press release. He joins the likes of Super Bowl champ Brendon Ayanbadejo, out pro-soccer player Robbie Rogers, and straight wrestler Hudson Taylor, who also founded the organization. Taylor had this to say:
“Mark Cuban is known for fearlessly speaking his mind on this issue, and his vision and role with Athlete Ally go even deeper than that. As an advisory board member, Mark is helping to shape the course and impact of our organization. We’re grateful for Mark’s support and excited to learn from him.”
Cuban has already accurately predicted the coming-out of out pro-basketballer Jason Collins in a 2011 interview with TMZ. In the release, Cuban expressed his desire to help make sports an even more welcoming environment for LGBT athletes.
“It’s a new world. Everyone should know that they can be themselves in sports. Leagues like the NBA, their teams and players have a great opportunity to set an example and spread a message to people who are either LGBT or straight that our culture should be celebrated for diversity and individual authenticity.”
