As of May 12, 2020, the United States had more than 1.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and in excess of 85,000 deaths. New York and New Jersey led all states by a substantial margin with 350,848 and 142,861 cases, respectively, whereas no other state had more than 85,000 confirmed cases. Both of those states remained closed as of the aforementioned date, although New York Governor Andrew Cuomo noted three Upstate regions could reopen as early as mid-May.

In contrast, states such as Ohio, Georgia, Colorado, and Tennessee opted to allow non-essential business to open in early May. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in these and other states, but to prepare for an eventual return to normalcy, President Donald Trump launched the Opening Our Country Economic Council. The advisory council will provide assistance to the White House in regards to the easing of federal guidelines and the re-opening of businesses. One of the members of the council is entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who has used his platform to take a leadership role in supporting his employees and providing guidance to small businesses.

Promise to Keep Paying Employees

Many companies have been forced to suspend pay or cut jobs as part of cost-reduction measures to ensure longevity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This is also true with some sports and entertainment companies. For instance, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), despite being labeled as an essential business in Florida and recording record revenues in 2019, released a handful of employees to save money. However, Cuban has been one of the few business owners who has promised to continue paying his employees throughout the pandemic.

The owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks told KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh in April that he not only intended to keep paying Mavericks employees but also employees at other companies that he owns. Cuban, who has a net worth of more than $4 billion, has an ownership stake in Magnolia Pictures and AXS TV, as well in as in dozens of start-up enterprises facilitated through his role as an investor on the TV series Shark Tank. He also promised to pay hourly employees at the American Airlines Center, the Mavericks' home arena, for the team's six postponed home games through April 11. Moreover, he launched a reimbursement policy in partnership with DoorDash to ensure that his employees can afford regular meals and to spur economic activity at local restaurants.

Advice on How Small Business Can Survive

While Cuban has been critical of the federal government's COVID-19 response, he has implored small businesses to take advantage of critical government resources such as the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which he believes should be utilized to bring back laid-off or furloughed employees. He has positioned himself as an advocate on behalf of small businesses and, to that end, participated in a live video chat with LinkedIn Editor-in-Chief Daniel Roth in April.

During the video session, Cuban took questions from business owners and offered potential solutions on how small businesses can survive the ongoing pandemic. One of his solutions involved offering bundled services via a gift certificate program that allows regular, recurring payments from customers over the course of an extended period of time to ensure business continuity. He also focused on the potential for a “reset” of American business and the possible opportunity for innovators to develop businesses that can enhance public safety.

Presidential Standards of Safety

While he is in favor of resuming the suspended 2019-20 NBA season, Cuban isn't willing to do so if it means putting his employees at risk. While some teams in the league opened practice facilities on May 8, Cuban stated he wouldn't open the Mavericks' training facility until coronavirus testing becomes widespread. He elaborated on that topic during an MSNBC interview in which he expressed that he wishes to enact the same safety protocol that is in place at the White House.

“If we're not getting a solid response, if we're not hearing a solid plan, and if we're not getting specific guidelines for health care, then the best we can do is emulate what has to be the highest level of care available, which is the White House. You have to protect the president. You have to protect the vice president. Why would I not want to adhere to the same standards for my employees?” he said.

Donations to First Responders and Nonprofits

Beyond taking care of his employees and providing guidance to small businesses, Cuban has leveraged his wealth to support COVID-19 first responders, nonprofits, and other organizations that are working to prevent the spread of the virus. Along with Mavericks players Dwight Powell and Luka Doncic, he donated $500,000 in March to support child care for health care workers at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The Dallas Mavericks Foundation also donated $100,000 to North Texas nonprofits such as the North Texas Food Bank, Community Food Bank of Fort Worth, North Texas Community Response Fund, and Hunger Busters.