Mark Cuban Crowdsources For New Dallas Mavs Jerseys

Steve Nash, Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki in the old days. (Glenn James/ Getty).

On his blog recently, Dallas Mavericks’ owner Mark Cuban wrote that he is looking for someone to create new jersey designs for his beloved Mavs for the 2015-26 season.

The idea that the ABC “Shark Tank” star is thinking outside the box and is offering regular people a chance to be part of NBA history is fantastic.

In simple terms, Crowdsourcing is basically  where you ask a bunch of people to help you  solve a problem.

So instead of asking  high-priced consultant to solve your problem, you put out there in the digital universe so anybody, anywhere can help you the find the solution.

 Kickstarter is a form crowdsourcing where regular folks helps people fund their projects. The Boston Bombing was another form of crowdsourcing as people sent their digital photos to the law enforcement to help them find the bombing suspects.

The fact the Mark Cuban is using crowdsourcing to help design his team’s jersey is pretty remarkable.

However there is a catche….no compensation.

Cuban said ” If you think its cool that the Mavs could possibly use your design and you will have eternal bragging rights , then post away. If we really like your design and you , I may even throw in some tickets.”

I think most professional designers would take a job like this pro-bono job for tickets, just because they probably  feel like the “bragging rights” alone could lead to more lucrative designing opportunities.

However, if you are regular basketball fan who likes designing, but is not  business savvy, watching your jersey sell millions, while you only have a few tickets to show for it, might be bitter-sweet.

Look, I’m a big Mark Cuban guy.

Ownership wise the NBA is actually stronger because he brought new ideas and enthusiasm to the league.

In fact,  I wish Cuban would bring this love to game to Cleveland to either buy the Indians or the Browns one day, (especially  if current Browns owner Jimmy Haslam can’t shake his rebate case with the IRS and the Feds).

However as much as I like Cuban and his crowdsourcing jersey idea , here’s hoping that the winner will get something in between a few tickets and the millions the jerseys will make a few years from now.

It would be the right thing to do as well as seal Mark Cuban’s legacy as one of the best, innovative  owners of all-time.

Which could  make him one of the best owners of all-time

Should companies/organizations compensate a person(s) if they crowdsource a problem that could make money?