DALLAS -- Mavericks owner Mark Cuban decided to donate $100,000 to a familiar face to match the final fine issued to him during commissioner David Stern's tenure.
Cuban said he made the donation to the iBellieve Foundation, which raises money to search for a cure for a rare condition known as Mucopolysacharridosis, MPS II or Hunter syndrome.
The foundation is run by Simon Ibell, one of approximately 2,000 people worldwide who have the disease and a childhood friend of Steve Nash, who introduced Ibell to the Mavs' owner soon after Cuban bought the team.
"I just know Simon and he works his ass off at it," Cuban said, explaining why he chose the iBellieve Foundation for his donation. "I know all the money goes right to the cause. And we couldn't confirm it, but I think he was who I donated to on my first fine, so it was apropos."
MPS II is a debilitating, progressive disease that inhibits the body's ability to get rid of cellular waste, causing a myriad of health problems, and can lead to death if not treated.
Ibell said Cuban's first donation to the cause was for $125,000 when Nash, Ibell and Mavs equipment manager Al Whitley held a bike-ride fundraiser in their native Vancouver. Ibell launched his foundation in 2010 and has been working for it on a full-time basis since.
"Mark's a dear friend. He's incredible," said Ibell, who has also grown close to Dirk Nowitzki and attended the Mavs' title-clinching victory in Miami during the 2011 Finals. "He has a huge heart. He's really always made a difference in what I'm trying to do. It means a lot, not just to me personally but for all rare diseases."
Cuban has made a charitable donation to match every fine he's received from the NBA office. The league has publicly fined Cuban 20 times during his 14-year ownership tenure for a total of $1.9 million.
This $100,000 fine, which Cuban boasted was his "proper farewell" to the retiring commissioner, was assessed after Cuban confronted officials on the court and directed inappropriate language toward them at the conclusion of the Mavs' 129-127 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Jan. 15.