Mark Cuban’s surprising advice for Powerball winners went viral in 2016 during the first ever billion-dollar lottery jackpot − 10 years later, it’s making a comeback.
In a story published Jan. 11, 2016,
with his local newspaper the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Mavericks owner and "Shark Tank" star commented on one of the hottest trending stories at the time − the billion-dollar Powerball jackpot and who would win.
It was then that the billionaire Cuban offered his famous advice to the potential Powerball winners: Don't take the lump sum.
Hours after the Dallas Morning News story published, the billion-dollar jackpot rolled over one last time, with multiple tickets matching all five numbers plus the Powerball in the next drawing for $1.586 billion on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016.
What other lottery advice did Mark Cuban have, and did the billion-dollar Powerball winners do as he suggested?
Here's what we know.
When was the first time a lottery jackpot hit $1 billion?
Powerball made history Jan. 11, 2016, the first time a lottery jackpot hit $1 billion. After no one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball in the (Saturday) Jan. 9, 2016, drawing for $949 million, the Monday jackpot soared to $1.4 billion. (No one won that drawing either.) Powerball made history again when three tickets matched all six numbers to win $1.586 billion in the (Wednesday) Jan. 13, 2016, drawing.
The jackpot started Nov. 4, 2015, at $40 million. It had rolled over almost 30 times from Nov. 4, 2015, to Jan. 13, 2016, before three tickets from California, Tennessee and Florida, claimed the grand prize. It was a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot split three ways.
What is Mark Cuban’s advice for Powerball and Mega Millions lottery jackpot winners?
These tips for lottery winners came from billionaire Mark Cuban in a 2016 story that first appeared online from the Dallas Morning News. That story was repurposed from several news ouetlets at the time and since, including a September 2025 update from dallasnews.com:
- Hire a tax attorney.
- Don't take the lump sum. Choosing the annual payments might prevent a lottery jackpot winner from spending all the money right away.
- If you weren't happy yesterday, you won't be happy tomorrow. Money won't buy happiness. However, a 2016 CBS News story about Cuban's lottery tips states, "if you were happy yesterday, you are going to be a lot happier tomorow. It's money. Life gets easier when you don't have to worry about the bills."
- If (and when) they ask for money, tell your friends and relatives no. "If you are close to them, you already know who needs help and what they need," the CBS News story says. Adds Cuban: Feel free to help some ... and know "no one needs $1 million for anything. No one needs $100,000 for anything. Anyone who asks is not your friend."
- Lastly, the "Shark Tank" shark and billionaire investor told reporters that lottery winners don't become smart investors when they win a jackpot and cautioned against making investments. Rather, put the winnings in the bank and live comfortably, according to the CBS News story. One "will sleep a lot better knowing you won't lose money."
Cuban also offered a bonus tip for lottery winners in the 2016 dallasnews.com story: "Be nice. No one likes a mean billionaire."
Who won $1.586 billion Powerball on Jan. 13, 2016, when Mark Cuban gave his lottery winners advice?
Days after the viral Dallas Morning News interview with Mark Cuban and his now-famous lottery winners advice, three winners split the $1.586 billion Powerball prize, or $528.8 million a share:
- John and Lisa Robinson of Munford, Tennessee, who took the cash value of $327.8 million, and days after the drawing, publicly claimed their winnings in an interview with Savannah Guthrie and Carson Daly on NBC's "Today" show before getting vetted by their state lottery. After filming the morning show, the couple flew to lottery headquarters to officially claim the prize, 2016 coverage from the USA TODAY Network states.
- Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt of Melbourne Beach, Florida, who came forward in February 2016 at lottery headquarters in Tallahassee, Florida. The couple, who appeared on camera and granted interviews to the media, including FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network newspaper, also opted for a one-time lump sum of $327.8 million.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta of California, who declined to appear in photos or video and claimed their $327.8 million at California Lottery headquarters six months after the $1.586 billion Powerball drawing.
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mark Cuban's advice for $1 billion Powerball winners: Don't take lump sum
