LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AP) – Miriam Adelson, the widow of late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, is making moves to acquire a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise from Mark Cuban. In order to do so, she and her family are selling a hefty $2 billion of stock in Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Cuban, a tech billionaire, will retain a portion of ownership in the team and will continue to manage it. Sources familiar with the company’s plans have indicated that a deal is imminent. The total valuation of the franchise is estimated to be $3.5 billion.

The Adelson family has already secured a binding purchase agreement for the team and intends to use the proceeds from the stock sale, along with cash on hand, to complete the acquisition. The deal is, of course, subject to customary league approvals.

Cuban has been the owner of the Mavericks since 2000, when he acquired the team for $285 million. Under his ownership, the team achieved significant success, including winning one NBA title in 2011.

Adelson, with an estimated net worth of $33 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is making the stock sale to fund the purchase. The shares are being marketed between $43 to $45.25 each, at a discount to the share price at the time of the announcement.

As the deal progresses, it remains to be seen how this change in ownership may impact the future of the Dallas Mavericks and its operations under new majority ownership. This major transaction in the sports world highlights the growing influence of wealthy individuals in the realm of professional sports ownership.