Rob Giardinelli
Courtside Glamour, High-Impact Philanthropy & A Night Where Dallas’ MVPs Scored Big For Community Change
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Dallas Mavericks Photography, Vernon Bryant, Allison Chu, Roberto Hernandez, Nicole Malunowicz, and Ben Torres
THE SCENE: The Omni Dallas Hotel was the setting for a night that effortlessly combined sport and philanthropy. Several hundred of the area’s most notable community leaders, family advocates, sports fans, sociables, and philanthropists turned out for the 11th Annual Mavs Ball. Benefiting the Mavs Foundation, the star-studded night featured dramatic entrances, touching tributes, and an impressive seven-figure fundraising haul for the organization.
THE VIBE: The cocktail-attired crowd featured patrons donning their favorite shade of blue in honor of the Dallas Mavericks’ team colors. In the crowd, one could spot tuxedos, suits, and ballgowns, with many women donning sequins that added extra sparkle to the room. The result was a warm, welcoming environment for all who attended.
Kicking off the festivities was a stroll down the blue carpet. Here, Dallas Mavericks players, team leaders, fans, and foundation supporters took the opportunity to pose for photos, commemorating the evening in style.
Once inside the Omni Dallas ballroom foyer, revelers grabbed their favorite cocktail during the cocktail reception and took the opportunity to mingle with other guests and Dallas Mavericks Players. During the cocktail hour, many could be seen bidding on an impressive array of silent auction items and experiences that caught their eyes.
Revelers then headed inside the Omni Dallas ballroom for dinner and the main program. The room wowed guests with stunning blue flower arrangements, including hydrangeas and bluebonnets, Texas’s state flower. Each floral arrangement was complemented by an array of elegant white votives, all mirroring the vibrant, sophisticated energy of the crowd.
Once guests took to their seats, they were in for a very special treat to launch the program. One by one, Dallas Mavericks players were introduced to the excited crowd, bringing the start of any game into the ballroom. This gave the room an extra energy that remained throughout the evening.
Emcees Mark Followill and Dana Larson kept the festivities flowing at a fun, brisk pace. As guests dined on their delectable, multi-course meals, they were treated to words from Dallas Mavericks and Mavs Ball leaders thanking them for taking part in such a special evening. The program included touching testimonials showcasing how funds raised from the Mavs Ball directly impact the North Texas Community.
A spirited live auction followed, where fans had the opportunity to bid on an array of one-of-a-kind Dallas Mavericks experiences, which drove the fundraising total even higher, with a 2026 NBA China Games Experience and a Cooper Flagg Meet and Greet being the most popular. An engaging Heads-or-Tails auction, followed by Dallas Mavericks players taking part for more prizes. The night was capped off with dancing as partygoers cut a rug to the tunes of the Emerald City Band.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 11th Annual Mavs Ball raised nearly $1.5 million for the Mavs Foundation. Proceeds from the event will support North Texas nonprofits that fulfill the organization’s mission to build a stronger community for women, families, and children in the region.
The 2025-2026 Mavs Foundation recipients were AVANCE, Best Buddies International, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Dallas After School, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Family Gateway, Frontiers of Flight Museum, Grant Halliburton Foundation, Jubilee Park & Community Center, New Friends New Life, Our Friends Place, Unbound Now, and YMCA Tarrant County.
Since the event’s founding, the Mavs Ball has raised over $14 million for the North Texas Community. For prior coverage of the 2025 Mavs Ball on Curated Texan, click here.
