Cuban may ban all Mav players from participating in the World Games

[HotRocket]

Cuban, NBA in dispute over quality of insurance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPN.com news services


Mavericks owner Mark Cuban again knocked heads with the NBA again Friday after declaring that no Dallas player under contract would have his approval to play in the World Championships.

According to a report in The Dallas Morning News, Cuban's reason for the declaration was his displeasure with the standard of insurance for any of the participants in the championships, which will be held from Aug. 29-Sept. 8.

"As of now, unless there is an insurance solution, none of our guys can play in the World Championships," Cuban told the newspaper.

Cuban's protest, according to the report, is that the NBA's interpretation of "adequate" does not cover total contract value, which leaves team owners at a high financial risk in the event of an injury.

Because the German Basketball Federation has struggled to provide a level of insurance that meets NBA standards, Cuban might only have license to deny permission to German players Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Bradley. Cuban had also included Canada's Steve Nash and Team USA's Michael Finley and Raef LaFrentz in his declaration.

But according to NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik, the final say for the non-German participants belongs to them and not Cuban.

"Our view is that the Mavericks don't have the right to withhold consent," Granik told the Morning News. "Teams do have the right to consent to off-season play, but our rules are such that if the federation is prepared to pay for adequate insurance, then the player has to be allowed to play."

The Mavericks were supposed to have seven members of their organization at the championships, including assistant coach Rolando Blackman, who was supposed to serve in a similar capacity for Germany.

"Germany can't get a policy that completely protects me," Cuban told the newspaper. "I am still at risk for millions. They have tried really, really hard and busted their butts to make it work. (Germany) just can't get a policy that doesn't have a minimum number of games that they won't pay if a player is hurt. Germany got it down to 10 games, but that is still more than $1 million.

"This isn't about not worrying about a few thousand dollars. This is about risking our team, and me acting as the insurance company for the World Championships."




http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2002/0810/1416520.html

[AroundTheWorld]

I know that Dirk Nowitzki has offered to pay the amount needed for his insurance so that he can play on the German team. It would be a shame if some of the best players could not participate in the World Championships because of this issue. I am pretty sure that Germany could beat almost any team with the exception of the USA in that tournament...

[Ottomaton]

This is intresting -- it's really one of the few instances where Cuban's impulsiveness hasn't translated into good pub. Despite all the 'perks', I'd have to say that things like this and the Mav's penchant for trading away yesterday's franchise player like so much fodder when Cuban sees something he want's would tend to provide me something to think about if I were a player looking to sign with him.

There used to be a GM in the NHL named Ron Carron (sp), who had some of the traits of Cuban personality-wise. I seem to remember him latching on with three or four teams, always starting out as the fan's darling because he was quick to pull the trigger on trades, but always ending up loosing favor because his teams never had time to develop continuity.

[aznlincolnpark]

Originally posted by Sir Jackie Chiles I know that Dirk Nowitzki has offered to pay the amount needed for his insurance so that he can play on the German team. It would be a shame if some of the best players could not participate in the World Championships because of this issue. I am pretty sure that Germany could beat almost any team with the exception of the USA in that tournament...

Germany aint dat goood.. The only player that i know is good.Dirk and that it.

[Ottomaton]

Originally posted by aznlincolnpark Germany aint dat goood.. The only player that i know is good.Dirk and that it.

Shawn Bradley is on the team, as is former UNC player Ademola Okulaja.

If I remember correctly, Germany has a history of solid play against other European teams? You'd have to think, however, that Yugoslavia would have a chance now that Vlade has commited to playing for the team. Add to him Peja Stojakovic, Predrag Drobnjak, Dragan Tarlac, Marcko Jaric, and Dejan Bodirogia, and you seem to have the best team based on NBA name value.

[Jack Frost]

Lol I dont know man Bradely and Dirk dont look as intimadated as the Yugo team.

[Yetti]

Mark Cuban seems to want to be in the limelight, he just can't take care of things without making a song and dance about it! Not my type of Owner!!

[mfclark]

I understand where Cuban is coming from in this situation - he has invested millions of dollars in his players and if they get hurt and aren't covered by insurance, he's screwed big time - both in terms of player and monetary value.

Insurance is typically a non-issue, especially in sports events like this; the fact that Germany has not been able to acquire a sufficient amount is kinda weird. The fact that Cuban is making a big deal out of it may make him look like the evil guy here, but he's simply trying to protect his own interests - and in business, if you fail to protect your interests, you aren't going to succeed very long.

That said - the whole thing will likely be resolved before play begins and this will be a non-issue; I think Cuban's just trying to put the pressure on the German federation to get things done quickly.

[off_welfare]

mavs suck

[haven]

I think that such tactics hurt the sport in the long-run. Soccer has a very complimentary relationship between national and club sports. Certainly, clubs and the international bodies squabble over schedules, since nobody wants players to be injured/tired/or unavailable... but I think that everyone understands that each is beneficial for the other in the long-run.

If basketball wants to continue to globalize as a sport, international competitions are necessary.

[JuanValdez]

From Heypartner's dissertations on Yao Ming's availability for the World Championships -- how the Rockets don't need to promise he's available because FIBA agreements dictate that teams cannot keep a player from playing in the big FIBA events -- I would think Cuban wouldn't get to say no, and that he may be in some trouble for even discouraging it.

[Matador]

I can understand Cuban's perspective but I think he is overestimating the danger of his players playing in the Worlds.

I think players would be more likely to get injured in pick-up games i.e. Mo Taylor than they would playing in an organized game with officials. I'm sure that most NBA players play many, many pickup style games during the offseason to work of their skills.

You cannot control everything a player does in the offseason.

[dirtyfithynasty]

Haha, there is a method to his madness. I have no doubt that like most things, Cuban has argued quietly with the NBA about this and the NBA has probably brushed him off. When that happens, that is when Cuban says it to the press. Then look what happens. Germany stepped up to the table and offered to pay the insurance. Just another smart business move by a smart businessman. If you guys call it whining when Cuban does what is best for his team, then please keep whining Cuban.

[coolpet]

sure he doesn't want to see his bradley got injuryed by Ming :D I remember he said Bradely is much more strong than Ming, we will see

[coolpet]

by the way, did Cuban tell his player to not to have sex also cuz the possiblity of getting HIV?