Summary

• Mark Cuban, known for his business ventures and NBA team ownership, owns two luxurious private jets – a Gulfstream G550 and a Boeing 757-200.
• Cuban's Gulfstream G550 holds a Guinness World Record for the largest single e-commerce transaction, costing $40 million and saving him time for his loved ones.
• The Mavericks' Boeing 757-200, acquired for $36 million, is specially outfitted for the NBA team, providing space for players, weight rooms, and a specialized meeting setup.

After making millions of dollars from career earnings or investments, most individuals set their sights on acquiring some of the most luxurious and exclusive assets. Some opt for mansions with gold-plated coffee tables, while others fill their garages with luxury vehicles. However, for some billionaires like Mark Cuban, some of their money is better spent collecting luxurious private jets.

Mark Cuban's love for private jets

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mark Cuban is an American businessman and investor widely known as the owner of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Dallas Mavericks. When not on the court, Cuban is also known for appearing as a judge on the ABC business reality television series Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of investors to persuade them to invest in their businesses.

Apart from molding NBA careers, investing in start-ups, and trying to reinvent the pharmaceutical drug sales industry, Cuban seems to love private jets. In fact, the wealthiest of the "Sharks" in the tank has two. This already puts him ahead of other wealthy business executives and celebrities who have only managed to keep one aircraft in their fleet.

Mark Cuban's two jets are also no mere Cirrus SF50s, clocking in at $1.96 million. With a net worth of over $6.2 billion, it is no secret that the Shark Tank investor would think bigger regarding private air travel. As such, the Mavericks boss has a Boeing 757 outfitted for a world-class sports team and a Gulfstream G550 business jet.

Setting a Guinness world record with the Gulfstream

While his first-ever private jet experience was on a Gulfstream II, Cuban owns a 22-year-old Gulfstream G550. He bought the jet in 1999, just after he made his first billion from selling his second company, Broadcast.com, to Yahoo. The $40 million purchase placed Cuban in the Guinness Book of World Records for the 'largest single e-commerce transaction.'

He still holds the record to this day, showing that clicking "buy" on the internet just isn't the same for everyone. In an interview with Business Jet Traveler, Cuban said he e-mailed Gulfstream after researching the company's website. They arranged to set up a demo flight for his pilot, who subsequently raved about it, sealing the deal without Cuban ever setting foot on his new investment.

Mark Cuban's smartest purchase

In another interview with Men's Journal Health & Fitness, Cuban said the jet was the smartest thing he had ever spent money on as it allowed him to spend more time with loved ones. "It is obviously brutally expensive, but time is the one asset we simply don't own. It saves me hours and hours," Cuban said. He added that the most important things in life are family, time, being nice, and avoiding stress.

The Gulfstream G550 is a popular choice among private jet users, offering a spacious cabin which can accommodate up to 19 passengers, in addition to a private bathroom and sleeping spaces. Speaking to Business Jet Traveler about some executives who have stopped flying private because of public criticism, Cuban highlighted the convenience of business jet travel. "They have to make their own decisions, but I just hope I compete with them. I get to work while they get to stand in line at the airport," he added.

The Mavericks Boeing 757

The second jet in Mark Cuban's collection is a Boeing 757-200, which he acquired for $36 million to transport his NBA team. Cuban purchased the Mavericks in 2000, shortly after buying the G550. While refusing to offer details on how the plane is outfitted, Cuban says he came up with the strategic vision for the plane, specifically focusing on providing space for players taller than seven feet.

It also has a weight room, special meeting set-ups, and space for medical treatments, as well as coaching and connectivity resources. While there is no footage of the aircraft's interior, it sounds reminiscent of the concept developed by NIKE and cabin designer Teague, specifically catering to professional athletes and sports teams. Cuban, who travels with his Mavericks to most games, believes that the decked-out unique cabin gives them a competitive advantage.

Built in June 1993, The Mavericks' 757 (registration N801DM) is now just over 30 years old. It was first delivered to Iberia, which operated it until November 2000. According to ch-aviation, it typically seats 63 passengers in an all-business configuration. By the early 2010s, the aircraft had clocked over 16,000 flight hours across 11,617 flight cycles. Now, it typically flies for approximately 600 hours per year.

When the NBA season is over, Cuban charters the jet to larger groups requiring high-end seating. In 2006, the jet was upgraded with Blended Winglet Technology from Aviation Partners Inc., increasing its range and eliminating long-haul refueling stops. The 757 can be spotted ferrying the Mavericks back and forth between Dallas and other cities with teams in the Western Conference.

Other teams with private jets

While privileged to have a customized Boeing narrowbody, the Mavericks are far from the only US sporting team to own a private aircraft for flying to and from games. Other well-known names include the New England Patriots, with a Boeing 767 (N36NE), which has served since 2017 and whose livery is iconic at airports hosting games. The Arizona Cardinals have one of the largest aircraft in sports, with a Boeing 777-200 to move their players across the country through the NFL season.

While the environmental footprint for teams using private jets is certainly high, they attempt to justify this by how much flying they must do each year. With dozens of players and staff traveling from city to city with tight turnarounds and the need for specialized equipment and medical rooms, private jets are best suited for these teams.

A private Boeing 767

Unsurprisingly, the most expensive jet in Cuban's collection was a Boeing 767-200. The widebody was operated by MLW Air, a company founded by Cuban and partners to offer high-end charter operations and occasionally serve the Mavericks, with registration N767MV. However, the aircraft now seems to have been scrapped. Its last flight was in February 2021, and it was sold to an aircraft parts company, indicating the end of the road for the nearly 40-year-old aircraft.

After gaining fame in their respective fields of expertise, many celebrities purchase their own jets to make their worldwide business and personal travel more accessible. Many of them acquire a single aircraft and fly it everywhere, but only a handful can say they have a collection. Respectfully, owning two or more aircraft also takes a different level of wealth.

Apart from Mark Cuban, a few other celebrities, including John Travolta, Tom Cruise, and Cristiano Ronaldo, are known to have a collection of private jets. John Travolta's portfolio is by far the most exciting, with a Bombardier Challenger, a Dassault Falcon 900, a couple of Gulfstream jets, an Eclipse 500, and a Boeing 727. He also owned a Boeing 707, which he later donated to Australia's Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).

Tom Cruise has at least two aircraft in his fleet, including a Gulfstream IV worth about $20 million and a classic P-51 Mustang. Meanwhile, legendary soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo owns a $65.5 million Gulfstream G650 and previously a $25 million G200. However, the latter was reportedly put up for sale last year.

If you were given enough money to purchase a private jet today, which one would you go for? Feel free to let us know in the comments how you would customize it!