http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap.php#1099893717 Mavs owner Mark Cuban is finding new and interesting ways of being fined by the NBA. Saturday, Cuban acknowledged on his blog Web site, www.blogmaverick.com, that he was fined by the league for his comments posted on the site Oct. 31, when he wrote that the NBA's decision to start the season on Election Day was "genius." "I won't say what I really think about the genius that started the season on Election Day since it's probably the same person that started the season on Halloween in previous years," Cuban wrote. "Let's see, which [is] going to get more highlights and press coverage Nov. 3 -- the kickoff of the NBA season or the election?" On Saturday, Cuban added to his blog that, "It [was] probably but just a matter of time till it happened. ... I'm sure this fine for a blog entry is a first in professional sports, and, in a lot of respects, it's amusing and will be fun for others to write and talk about." Cuban, who has been fined more than $1 million since January 2001 when he bought the Mavs, was fined $100,000 less than a month ago for comments about the NBA's new rules regarding practice in training camp. He didn't disclose the amount of his most recent fine.
I hate these involved team owners that make the game that little bit more interesting! The NBA is right to fine him all this money. After all, I dont want to hear an owners thoughts on the way the game is run, I want to hear how players are being uder paid.....
When it hit me that opening night was on the same night as the election I kinda thought the same thing as Cuban. I was forced into watching the game in a bedroom at my buddies' apartment while everyone else watched the election results in the living room. And this is a house with enough hardcore fans to order league pass.
i don't understand the problem with having games on election day. 1. we had early voting across the country right? we had record turnout around the country. 2. the results really aren't totally in until well after the time that many of these games across the country are over. if you've already voted, is it you civic obligation to do nothing entertaining that evening...to be glued to the tv to watch results??? 3. was league attendance down as compared to other opening nights? geez...there are games on Thanksgiving...Christmas...New Years...4th of July...Easter...what's the big freaking deal about election day??
The NBA is wrong for fining Cuban. I mean why cant a owner have a say about the team he owns? It makes no sense 2 me.. But hey what do i know im just a fan
I have to agree with Max. I watched the game, drove home, and watched the elections with my wife. I think I missed maybe 1 swing state. You won't get the headlines the next day, but guess what? the opening day for the NBA won't be getting the headline anyway.
I think it makes sense. He and the other 29 guys are franchise owners. I wouldn't want a fellow owner criticizing my company in public. It will encourage customers to be be negative, following Cuban's lead. I know he wants to change things in the NBA to make his own franchise better and more profitable, but I think he's shooting himself in the foot by denigrating his own product.
It's a strange situation, because it certainly isn't like a big corporation. Cuban would have been either fired, or promoted to CEO, long ago. Seeing as he continues to get fined, clearly fining him isn't necessarily the answer. On the other hand, given that I think the fines go to charity, I bet both parties aren't that concerned.
It doesn't seem like it would have an effect but it actually does. I can't speak for other teams around the league, but I believe Dallas actually had a lower attendance on opening night then it did in meaningless preseason games. When you think about it, is there any good reason to have opening night share the spotlight with the election?
