Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is taking another run at buying a Major League Baseball team.
Cuban has emerged as a bidder for the Texas Rangers, joining forces with former sports agent Dennis Gilbert and Texas businessman Jeff Beck to make a play for the bankrupt baseball team, according to a source close to the situation.
“I think Cuban is serious,” the source said.
Cuban did not return an e-mail for comment.
In 2008, Cuban was reportedly the highest bidder for the then-bankrupt Chicago Cubs. However, MLB had the right to approve a buyer and reportedly did not want Cuban.
Chicago banking executive Tom Ricketts last year bought the Cubs.
This time around, Cuban has a decent shot at buying the Rangers even though a bidding group led by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan is favored by MLB and the team, the source said.
Ryan and former Pittsburgh Attorney Chuck Greenberg made a $575 million bid for the team and its parking facilities, but senior creditors believe they can get a higher price through a bankruptcy auction.
The judge handling the Rangers’ bankruptcy case ruled yesterday that there should be an auction and that Ryan’s group was not entitled to the $15 million breakup fee it wanted for being the favored bidder.
Now, the Ryan team will receive only $1.5 million if another bidder bests its offer by a court-set July 22 deadline.
“The $15 million breakup fee would have chilled bidding,” the source said.
The lower breakup fee has suddenly opened up the contest — exactly what MLB and Rangers owner Tom Hicks did not want.
MLB likely favored Ryan because it was comfortable with the former pitching star. At the same time, Hicks supported Ryan because his bid also included $75 million for the stadium’s parking facilities, which Hicks would directly pocket. Other suitors now do not need to bid for the parking facilities, or might pay much less for them. jkosman@nypost.com