Source: ABC Entertainment

Six Episodes Are Slated to Air Summer 2004

February 24th, 2004--What would you do for a million dollars? Billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is about to find out because he is "The Benefactor," and he's set to give away a million bucks to a complete stranger. Why has he agreed to give away such a large sum of money? Simply because he can...and because he can't wait to devise the means through which applicants must prove to him that they deserve the money.

In the coming days, Mark will release the details on how America can apply for his million.

"I want every U.S. Resident 21 and older to apply. Everyone has dreamed of getting rich, and I want to help one lucky person get there. This isn't a traditional contest. You don't need special talents. I'm not looking to find out who is the grossest, funniest, prettiest, smartest or able to go without food or water the longest. The right person is going to get on my good side at the right time, and whoever that is is going to walk away with a check from me for one million dollars."

"From the millions of applicants we expect, I will then invite approximately 30 finalists to visit with me and begin the journey to win my money. And I can promise you it will be a journey... with some of the rules made up along the way. So if you are ready to take a voyage to a one million dollar check, go to ABC.com keyword: casting."

"'The Benefactor' is a show without boundaries," said Andrea Wong, senior vice president, alternative series and specials. "It can take infinite twists and turns, and Mark's sense of fun and adventure is going to make this a great ride." "Mark Cuban is the ordinary guy who has done extraordinary things," said executive producer David Young. "That's why I wanted him to be the Benefactor. It will be fascinating to see just what America must do to win Mark's million." During his extraordinarily successful business career, Cuban has co-founded Broadcast.com, sold to Yahoo! in 1999 for $5.7 billion, and MicroSolutions, a leading National Systems Integrator (sold to CompuServe.) In September 2001, he launched HDNet, an all high-definition television network (www.hd.net). Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks in January 2000 and changed the face of the organization, bringing a party atmosphere to home games and leading the team to the playoffs. In his short tenure in the NBA, he has earned a reputation of being articulately outspoken, and has developed quite a following in the media across the country. "The Benefactor" was created by and will be executive produced by David Young for 12 Yard Productions. Clay Newbill and Todd Wagner, CEO of 29 29 Productions, will also serve as executive producers. The Endeavor Agency brokered all deals on the project. r"