Mark Cuban on the NBA, Cost Plus Drugs, and How to Fix Politics

What happens when AI collides with salesmanship, streaming-era sports, and healthcare? In this episode, Erik Torenberg is joined by Mark Cuban, entrepreneur, Dallas Mavericks co-owner, and founder of Cost Plus Drugs. Topics include fiery group chats and how dissent sharpens thinking, the sales playbook of modern politics, and concrete fixes for U.S. healthcare like ending PBM opacity, publishing real prices, and government-backed patient financing. Mark also explains how AI is pushing media from “social” to algorithmic, why he expects millions of models, and why ESOPs are an underrated wealth engine. He shares what he’d build today and weighs in on NBA economics under the new collective bargaining agreement. Timecodes:  00:00 Introduction  00:47 Salesmanship, Politics, and Social Media 04:05 AI, Algorithms, and the Future of Media 06:29 Fragmentation of Social Platforms 09:04 Political Messaging & Economic Populism 12:05 Wealth, Equity, and Employee Ownership 16:39 AI’s Impact on Education and Healthcare 21:32 Fixing the US Healthcare System 29:39 Entrepreneurship in the Age of AI 33:38 Business Success, Sports, and Investments 35:32 NBA Economics and Team Building 50:44 Personal Priorities & Closing Thoughts   Resources:  Find Mark on X: https://x.com/mcuban   Stay Updated:  Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.