Dallas Mavericks owner and entrepreneur Mark Cuban is donating $1 million to the Dallas police force in response to Sunday’s horrific shootings at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
The Dallas Star-Telegram says that the department has earmarked the funds for 16,000 hours worth of overtime slated for officers as the city is stepping up security in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
"The Dallas Police Department thanks Mark Cuban," Dallas Police Chief David Brown said in a press release obtained by KDFW. "These funds will be used primarily to protect the LGBT community. We will earmark and track the expenditure of these funds to ensure its effective use in creating a safe environment."
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings also shared his appreciation for the generous donation.
"Once again, Mark has demonstrated his devotion to his city by stepping up in a time of need,’’ Rawlings said, according to the Star-Telegram. "In the wake of national tragedies, we often hear empty talk from politicians and other influencers.”
Cuban, who also stars on reality show Shark Tank, hasn’t hesitated to open his checkbook to charities in the past. Often fined for his in-game antics by the NBA, Cuban often matches the fines with a donation to charity. In 2014, he matched a $100,000 fine with a donation to the iBellieve Foundation, and late last year he played up a fine so he could donate more to charity during an e-sports event by continually cursing on camera.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
