National Basketball Association

How Mark Cuban could make millions off a Warriors title

Published Jun. 2, 2016 12:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

When the Golden State Warriors tip off Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, they'll have a surprising supporter: Mark Cuban. And if you think it's some kind of "Western Conference solidarity" thing, think again.

Nope, Cuban -- ever the businessman -- is actually the owner of the trademark "City of Champions." That means if both the Warriors and Sharks win their respective championships, he could be in line to make millions off any apparel with that phrase sold in and around the Bay Area.

ESPN had more details Wednesday:

The fact that the trademark was filed in 2010 isn't a coincidence; it came at the tail end of Boston's run of championships, which included at least one title from the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins between 2002 and 2011 (more have come since). San Francisco could be in the beginning stages of another stretch, with the Giants and Warriors combining for four titles since 2010, with potentially two more in their immediate future.

So yeah, Cuban could be rolling in (even more) dough. And if there was any doubt, he confirmed the trademark to ESPN, saying:

Say what you want about Cuban, but despite his crazy sideline demeanor, he is one smart dude.