Mavericks founding owner Carter dies

Don Carter, who was instrumental in bringing the NBA to Dallas as a co-founding owner of the Mavericks, has died at age 84, the team confirmed.

Carter and co-owner Norm Sonju were awarded an NBA expansion franchise for Dallas in 1980. He said in 2005 that part of his decision to acquire a team was as a present to his wife, who had been a high school basketball player.

Carter sold his majority stake to Ross Perot Jr. in 1996, who in turn sold the team to Mark Cuban in 2000. Carter, however, remained a fixture at Mavericks games.

The Mavs will honor Carter with a moment of silence before their next home game on Feb. 26 against the Indiana Pacers.