The Mavericks’ shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Lakers has a few fans seeking—and getting—their money back.
Dallas fans contacted by Front Office Sports and posting on social media said they were receiving refunds after canceling their season-ticket plans.
The Mavericks would not say whether they had a blanket policy or whether they generally refunded plans midseason.
“We value every season ticket member relationship and reps are available to take calls from members with any concerns or questions,” a Mavericks corporate spokesperson said in an email to FOS.
Michael Civello is a Mavs fan with a half-season package of 21 games, with nine remaining on his package after the Dončić trade. He told FOS he was able to get a refund for those nine games in exchange for forfeiting his right to playoff tickets and next season’s tickets. He had two tickets to each game and said that a Dallas ticket rep told him he would be issued a refund check for the full value of the remaining tickets, more than $1,800.
Other fans posted on social media and told news outlets that the team had offered full refunds for season tickets.
The Mavericks are currently 26–24, good for eighth in the tight Western Conference, but just a half game from dropping to 12th. The team is currently without Anthony Davis—the hallmark return of the Dončić trade—and guard Kyrie Irving as both are dealing with injuries.
The cancellations come amid some fans learning season tickets will increase for next season, with one fan telling NBC 5 in Dallas that theirs are increasing by 61%.
Fans have reacted beyond the team’s ticket office, too. Mavericks fans protested outside the team’s arena over the weekend after the trade was announced in the early hours of Sunday morning, and even walked a casket down the street in a mock funeral for Dončić’s time in Dallas.
The 25-year-old perennial MVP candidate was introduced as a Laker on Tuesday. He sounded nearly as shocked as the fans.
“I was almost asleep when I got a call,” Dončić told reporters. “I had to check if it was April 1st. I didn’t really believe it at first.”
