Mavericks colleagues share Cynt Marshall memories

As Cynt Marshall steps aside to become a consultant for the Mavericks, her attendance at games will become more infrequent, leaving many within the organization wondering what will come next for her. For some, like those who originally wanted their jobs because of Marshall’s presence, saying goodbye is bittersweet.

Brittanie Boyd, Dallas Mavericks senior vice president of corporate partnerships, is a Frisco, Texas, native. She idolized Marshall’s leadership style for years, and after messaging her, the two stayed in touch between 2019 to 2022. When Boyd expressed an interest in working for the Mavs, Marshall made her a promise that she’d bring her home.

“I wanted to get the opportunity to work with her and learn from her on an everyday basis. From afar, I’ve admired her. She’s inspired me and she’s definitely showed me what’s possible,” said Boyd, who joined the Mavs after a senior marketing role with the 76ers. “She took this job because she wanted to make an impact on the Mavericks and the community. But I just hope she knows the amazing impact she’s had on me.”

The love for Marshall extends beyond executives. Texas Radio Hall of Fame member Chris Arnold has been the Mavs’ emcee and inclusion ambassador since 1996. He’s lived through essentially most of the team’s highs and lows. Though their time working closely together is ending soon, the two won’t be fully parting ways, he said.

“The journey is the reward; it’s something that she knows,” Arnold said. “She’s still having a journey. It’s just a different chapter, because she’s not the kind of person that’s going to sit around the house. And I’ll never say goodbye to her. I know she’ll always be here in some way, just on her own schedule. I’ll be here when she’s here.”

Marshall is known for her personal touch with employees. Perhaps no one has felt it more than Kimberly Francois, the Mavs’ vice president of sponsorship activation. During 2020, she was unable to return home for Thanksgiving due to COVID-19. Without missing a beat, Marshall called Francois and invited her over to her house to enjoy the holiday with her, Francois said.

“I don’t know where she got my number. But I started tearing up because I was all by myself. It wasn’t just a plate, either; she introduced me to her family, gave me a tour, it meant so much,” Francois said. “She’s done so much work for me and our organization. I just hope she takes a minute to reflect on it all and relax. She’s earned it.”

If there’s one role Marshall isn’t stepping aside from, it’s being a mother. One of her sons, Kenneth A. Marshall, knows as well as anyone that retirement for Marshall will likely be short-lived. There’s not a day when people don’t thank his mother and request he pass along the message.

It’s within those moments that he realizes a short retirement may be best for everyone — even him.

“When she’s here at work, she’s kind of the motherly figure to everybody,” he said. “She’s always radiated a certain aura at home and work, and that’s just how she exists. I’m so grateful for her. The next CEO has some pretty big shoes to fill, but she wanted to leave it better than where she found it. She’s not going to be retired for long; maybe five months. Why? Because people need her.”