Comments on: It was bound to happen…and it did. http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/ the mark cuban weblog Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:24:11 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Susan F. Heywood http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4957 Susan F. Heywood Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4957 Your piece was incredibly positive about the Mavs. I especially enjoyed reading your observations about the players. It would be hard to find too much in the post to even construe as negative toward the NBA, (except about the pictures...) Not knowing the terms of your agreement with the League, I would guess that what really ticks off the finers is that you discussed the money. To answer your questions, if anything, your post would make me more likely to watch the Mavs, but disgusted with the NBA. I agree with others who have noted that its action sets a dangerous precedent with regard to freedom of speech. This action also perpetuates and reinforces the idea that it is wrong to question authority in any way, even (or especially) when justified. That is an idea threatens the very integrity this fine was supposed to "protect." If this incident in any way damaged the league's reputation, it was due to the NBA and its petulant fine, not the blog. BTW, from a customer perspective, anyone could see that you were 100% correct about the scheduling issue. If it isn't apparent to the NBA that there might be a conflict with the election, then that means the NBA not only looks petty and vindictive, it looks pretty clueless, too. Your piece was incredibly positive about the Mavs. I especially enjoyed reading your observations about the players. It would be hard to find too much in the post to even construe as negative toward the NBA, (except about the pictures…)

Not knowing the terms of your agreement with the League, I would guess that what really ticks off the finers is that you discussed the money.

To answer your questions, if anything, your post would make me more likely to watch the Mavs, but disgusted with the NBA.

I agree with others who have noted that its action sets a dangerous precedent with regard to freedom of speech.

This action also perpetuates and reinforces the idea that it is wrong to question authority in any way, even (or especially) when justified. That is an idea threatens the very integrity this fine was supposed to “protect.”

If this incident in any way damaged the league’s reputation, it was due to the NBA and its petulant fine, not the blog.

BTW, from a customer perspective, anyone could see that you were 100% correct about the scheduling issue. If it isn’t apparent to the NBA that there might be a conflict with the election, then that means the NBA not only looks petty and vindictive, it looks pretty clueless, too.

]]> By: Luis http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4958 Luis Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4958 I have questions; if a player starting making noise in the locker room and then posted what he felt on his personal blog and his criticism would be directly at the franchise, its owners and other upper level management; would he deserve a fine? Would it be because he is under contract by the team? That said what is your relationship with the NBA, obviously you are the owner of the team but is the NBA over you? If so dont they have the right to fine for your actions, same as an owner has the right to fine a player. Or is the league a partnership between owners & the NBA and if so would you ever fine a partner because of what he said or wrote about the partnership's practices? What would have you done it Todd criticized Broadcast.com publicly? I guess what I am getting at is why the public bashing? Why not do it in private; you may have when the schedule first came out but to publicly criticize makes the NBA appear weak. The act of fining you looks as an attempt to offset that showing of weakness but I think it only hurts them more because usually you just come back with more comments. I believe people should speak their minds; however bashing something your invested in or a partner in doesnt make sense to me. All that said I think most will be more intrigued to watch and follow the story, your team & NBA; therefore bringing more customers to your product. --Luis http://www.dallaspartyrental.com/ I have questions; if a player starting making noise in the locker room and then posted what he felt on his personal blog and his criticism would be directly at the franchise, its owners and other upper level management; would he deserve a fine? Would it be because he is under contract by the team? That said what is your relationship with the NBA, obviously you are the owner of the team but is the NBA over you? If so dont they have the right to fine for your actions, same as an owner has the right to fine a player. Or is the league a partnership between owners & the NBA and if so would you ever fine a partner because of what he said or wrote about the partnership’s practices? What would have you done it Todd criticized Broadcast.com publicly? I guess what I am getting at is why the public bashing? Why not do it in private; you may have when the schedule first came out but to publicly criticize makes the NBA appear weak. The act of fining you looks as an attempt to offset that showing of weakness but I think it only hurts them more because usually you just come back with more comments. I believe people should speak their minds; however bashing something your invested in or a partner in doesnt make sense to me. All that said I think most will be more intrigued to watch and follow the story, your team & NBA; therefore bringing more customers to your product.
–Luis
http://www.dallaspartyrental.com/

]]> By: Deborah Merrick http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4959 Deborah Merrick Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4959 THANK GOD YOU'RE BACK! Hopefully the alien that took over your body and made you into a Donald Wannabee is banished forever. Should you have gotten fined for something in the blog, probably not, but the fact that you are out there speaking up and being fined thrills me and I'm sure the charity that receives the matching donation. I like you tons better as the controversial owner of the Dallas Mavericks rather than a billionaire trying to be a TV star. I would come closer to quitting being a MFFL by your actions in the off season than your actions during the season. I was crushed that Nash left but understood and now I am totally into the new Mavs. Be Mark Cuban the owner!!!!!! THANK GOD YOU’RE BACK! Hopefully the alien that took over your body and made you into a Donald Wannabee is banished forever. Should you have gotten fined for something in the blog, probably not, but the fact that you are out there speaking up and being fined thrills me and I’m sure the charity that receives the matching donation.
I like you tons better as the controversial owner of the Dallas Mavericks rather than a billionaire trying to be a TV star.
I would come closer to quitting being a MFFL by your actions in the off season than your actions during the season.
I was crushed that Nash left but understood and now I am totally into the new Mavs.
Be Mark Cuban the owner!!!!!!

]]> By: bob http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4960 bob Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4960 Wow, you got fined for those comments. I can understand the NBA league office does not wished to be critizced and that allowing players execs etc to do so might cause them to do a lot of pr that they perfer not to but as a consumer I am not sure controversey ever weakened a sport and some times good may come out of it. Hell some entertainment is based upon starting controversies. Wow, you got fined for those comments. I can understand the NBA league office does not wished to be critizced and that allowing players execs etc to do so might cause them to do a lot of pr that they perfer not to but as a consumer I am not sure controversey ever weakened a sport and some times good may come out of it. Hell some entertainment is based upon starting controversies.

]]> By: Topher http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4961 Topher Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4961 Doesn't everybody get what they want with this fine? The league gets to flex its muscles. The fans get something else to talk about. Mark gets his money's worth in publicity from the fine. Some charity benefits from Mark's matching the fine with a contribution. Next time elections roll around, maybe they move the election date, not the date for NBA opening night..... Doesn’t everybody get what they want with this fine?

The league gets to flex its muscles. The fans get something else to talk about. Mark gets his money’s worth in publicity from the fine. Some charity benefits from Mark’s matching the fine with a contribution.

Next time elections roll around, maybe they move the election date, not the date for NBA opening night…..

]]> By: Trent Pattison http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4962 Trent Pattison Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4962 I think you should be applauded for you outspokenness on how the league is run. Its your right as an owner to have a say in how things should be run. Your opinion is just that, an opinion. I don't agree with the fines. As a hockey fan, I wished more people would stand up against what's going on. More people on the inside (owners, player) that bitch about the current situation. Its shows fans (the people who provide the league(s) with funding) that some guys, like Mark, are driven and love what they do. Passion for the game shows a lot! The current NHL situation could learn from your outspoken voice Mark.... Please help!! I think you should be applauded for you outspokenness on how the league is run. Its your right as an owner to have a say in how things should be run. Your opinion is just that, an opinion. I don’t agree with the fines.
As a hockey fan, I wished more people would stand up against what’s going on. More people on the inside (owners, player) that bitch about the current situation. Its shows fans (the people who provide the league(s) with funding) that some guys, like Mark, are driven and love what they do. Passion for the game shows a lot!
The current NHL situation could learn from your outspoken voice Mark…. Please help!!

]]> By: Alex http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4963 Alex Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4963 Mark - Sorry to hear that you'll be writing another check because of the NBA's inability to accept feedback. It's amazing that an organization with such a presence in the market, and such a desire to extend it's product beyond the reaches of our borders wouldn't be more open to feedback from the people who know the impact it's actually having better than anyone else, the owners. You, as an owner, recognize if the impact the NBA desires is indeed occurring because you can see the results on your financial statements. You can see if tickets are selling, if people are buying merchandise, and I would imagine you can gauge how many people are watching the games on television. Those are truly the benchmarks that matter with a sport because if people are not giving you their money you obviously won't be around for long (see: XFL). I, opposed to the NBA, do appreciate the feedback you consistently give on your own product. If you able to look at yourself and your organization with the constant mind of being better you'll achieve that result. However, if you take the approach that what you have is perfect and that you are above reproach or negative comments than it will be difficult, if not impossible, to grow. Thanks for always keeping it' real. I truly wish you all the success in reforming the mindset in the NBA. But as a fan I can only wish you, at best, second place with the hope that my beloved Nuggets will be first :) Be Well... Mark –

Sorry to hear that you’ll be writing another check because of the NBA’s inability to accept feedback. It’s amazing that an organization with such a presence in the market, and such a desire to extend it’s product beyond the reaches of our borders wouldn’t be more open to feedback from the people who know the impact it’s actually having better than anyone else, the owners.

You, as an owner, recognize if the impact the NBA desires is indeed occurring because you can see the results on your financial statements. You can see if tickets are selling, if people are buying merchandise, and I would imagine you can gauge how many people are watching the games on television. Those are truly the benchmarks that matter with a sport because if people are not giving you their money you obviously won’t be around for long (see: XFL).

I, opposed to the NBA, do appreciate the feedback you consistently give on your own product. If you able to look at yourself and your organization with the constant mind of being better you’ll achieve that result. However, if you take the approach that what you have is perfect and that you are above reproach or negative comments than it will be difficult, if not impossible, to grow.

Thanks for always keeping it’ real. I truly wish you all the success in reforming the mindset in the NBA. But as a fan I can only wish you, at best, second place with the hope that my beloved Nuggets will be first :)

Be Well…

]]> By: Mike http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4964 Mike Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4964 In all honesty, if I was looking at purchasing a hummer, and you, an owner of a hummer franchise were to put down the way they're made, I would not buy a hummer. That's a quick answer, but to me it's the same thing. In all honesty, if I was looking at purchasing a hummer, and you, an owner of a hummer franchise were to put down the way they’re made, I would not buy a hummer. That’s a quick answer, but to me it’s the same thing.

]]> By: Mehdi http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4965 Mehdi Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4965 I think the fines are great for the NBA. It's yet another story they get to advertise in sports columns across the country. Can you beat getting free advertising and generating immediate funds from thin air? I think the fines are great for the NBA. It’s yet another story they get to advertise in sports columns across the country. Can you beat getting free advertising and generating immediate funds from thin air?

]]> By: Tom Guarriello http://blogmaverick.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4966 Tom Guarriello Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:01:30 +0000 http://blogmaverick.wordpress.com/2004/11/06/it-was-bound-to-happen-and-it-did/#comment-4966 Mark, you of all people should know that telling the truth in public is never popular, especially when you're dealing with an entity that controls its messages as tightly as the NBA does. Now, if they fined Alonzo for what he's been saying, THAT would be news. Mark, you of all people should know that telling the truth in public is never popular, especially when you’re dealing with an entity that controls its messages as tightly as the NBA does.

Now, if they fined Alonzo for what he’s been saying, THAT would be news.

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