Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mark Cuban: Kobe Bryant crisis "good for business in the NBA"
ABC Radio News | 8/5/2003

Posted on 08/05/2003 9:37:05 AM PDT by sinkspur

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, apparently gave an interview to a cable show in which he said "This is not a good thing to say, but the Kobe Bryant controversy is good for business in the NBA."


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: kobebryant; markcuban
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last
Needless to say, Cuban's getting skewered here in DFW talk-radio land.
1 posted on 08/05/2003 9:37:05 AM PDT by sinkspur
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
Cuban's a dork and the Mavs have just about the most annoying players of any team, Nash and Dirk.
2 posted on 08/05/2003 9:40:28 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
>>> problem is he is right


ESPN.com news services


So it was only a matter of time before the Mavericks owner weighed in on the Kobe Bryant scandal.

During an interview with Access Hollywood's Pat O'Brien, Cuban commented on the charges filed in Colorado against Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers guard accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman.

"From a business perspective, it's great for the NBA. It's reality television, people love train-wreck television and you hate to admit it, but that is the truth, that's the reality today," Cuban told the TV show.




In its Tuesday editions, USA Today asked Cuban to elaborate on his "It's great for the NBA" comments.

"Notoriety sells in this day and age," Cuban told the newspaper. "... I can't think of anyone who is going through a legal problem who doesn't get high attention. Is that cold-blooded? Yeah. But it is bottom-line reality."

Cuban added: "I don't want to compare Kobe with O.J. (Simpson) because Kobe's case hasn't been decided, but the reality is there is more interest in him (Kobe) now."

Cuban also said the intrigue will make Dallas' season opener against the Lakers on Oct. 28 "must-see TV."

"Take away the personal aspect and the reality is that there will be more people watching our game against the Lakers," Cuban told USA Today. "Who do you know won't watch the Lakers game with Kobe?"

Bryant is scheduled to attend a preliminary hearing on Wednesday at the Eagle County Justice Center at approximately 6 p.m. ET. Bryant will be read the charges against him and may enter a plea.

On Monday, a possible witness may have emerged in the investigation.

Bobby Pietrack, a bellman at the Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, told police that he saw his 19-year-old co-worker shortly after she left Bryant's room on the night of the alleged sexual assault, ESPN's Shelley Smith reported Monday.

Pietrack reportedly told police that the woman was visibly upset, disheveled and had red marks on her neck and face, according to Smith.

Sources close to the investigation say Pietrack is considered the first link in the chain of what is called "immediate outcry," meaning he is the first person the alleged victim cried out to immediately following the alleged incident.

The alleged victim went to police the following day, approximately 13 hours after the alleged assault. Sources also said that photos taken of her at that point show the marks. Those photos are considered part of the prosecution's evidence.

Pietrack has not spoken to reporters and has declined repeated requests by ESPN.
3 posted on 08/05/2003 9:47:52 AM PDT by Pikamax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pikamax
I 've met the man, and Mark Cuban always says what is on his mind, even if others are afraid to say it. That said, this was a stupid remark. But what do you expect? He's a kid in a man's body, and the Mavs are just one of his many toys.
4 posted on 08/05/2003 9:50:03 AM PDT by Lunatic Fringe (When news breaks, we fix it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
Cuban's a dork and the Mavs have just about the most annoying players of any team, Nash and Dirk.

Annoying because they're good players? I'll give you the "Cuban is a dork" thing, though. ;o)

5 posted on 08/05/2003 9:50:23 AM PDT by al_c
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pikamax
problem is he is right

I agree. Sensationalism rules.

6 posted on 08/05/2003 9:51:04 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: al_c
Annoying because they're good players?

Nah, Dirk is good, that's for sure. He just comes across as a big crybaby to me. And he and Nash are both flaming lefties, so I always think about that when I see them.

7 posted on 08/05/2003 9:52:22 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
How do you know that they're "flaming lefties?"
8 posted on 08/05/2003 9:54:34 AM PDT by Guillermo (Proud Infidel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Guillermo
There were a few articles on FR a while back where they made anti-war comments.
9 posted on 08/05/2003 9:55:38 AM PDT by Sir Gawain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
Nah, Dirk is good, that's for sure. He just comes across as a big crybaby to me.

That's the European approach to sports. Ever watch Premier League Soccer? Worse acting than Melrose Place.

And he and Nash are both flaming lefties, so I always think about that when I see them.

I know Nash is (Canadian lefty) ... haven't seen any lefty examples from Dirk.

10 posted on 08/05/2003 9:58:43 AM PDT by al_c
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: al_c
Does Cuban have daughters?..for their sakes, I hope not..
11 posted on 08/05/2003 10:00:41 AM PDT by ken5050
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Sir Gawain
Cuban respresents all that's wrong with the young owners of sports teams. These self centered egomainiacs decided that they are every bit as legitimate of an entertainment attraction as their teams, and the sports they play.

Too bad, as in his case he puts a pretty damn good product on the floor.
12 posted on 08/05/2003 10:00:44 AM PDT by mr.pink
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ken5050
Does Cuban have daughters?..for their sakes, I hope not..

Cuban's not married. He'd probably like to date your daughters.

Mark Cuban is a big kid. He ran up a half-million dollars in fines from the NBA last year for running out on to the floor when a Maverick got in a dust-up, or for getting in the face of referees.

I don't follow basketball much, but he's sure breathed life back into a dormant franchise here in Dallas. Every game sells out.

13 posted on 08/05/2003 10:06:25 AM PDT by sinkspur ("Messina, Brad! Messina!" George C. Scott as "PATTON.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
The NBA has marginalized itself to appeal to two groups..the urban young, and the corporate crowd....in NY, the Knicks are pathetic..and you can't give the seats away...renewals are way down...the prices are rediculous....and the Alan Iverson image appeals to a small fraction..but turns off 95% of the people...and how many "doo" rags can you sell, after all?
14 posted on 08/05/2003 10:14:01 AM PDT by ken5050
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
Mark Cuban got married last year.
15 posted on 08/05/2003 10:15:58 AM PDT by dfwgator
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: ken5050
Pro basketball is just "thug sport", IMO, and the NFL is drifting in that direction. Owners and fans seem ready to put up with any kind of behavior (even murder) so long as a "winner" is put on the field or the court. They're also major catalysts for wagering; I've got a friend who drops a couple of hundred a week during the NFL season. I don't know whether his wife knows or not.

I've grown bored with both leagues, and much prefer the NHL and college football.

16 posted on 08/05/2003 10:20:19 AM PDT by sinkspur ("Messina, Brad! Messina!" George C. Scott as "PATTON.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator
Thanks for the update on Cuban, though I wonder if his wife will become just another accessory in his life.
17 posted on 08/05/2003 10:21:28 AM PDT by sinkspur ("Messina, Brad! Messina!" George C. Scott as "PATTON.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: sinkspur
Yes, but...albeit a small but....the difference is that the NFL markets "teams" whereas the NBA markets individual players....FWIW, the best sporting experience around, and also the least expensive, is women's college BB...I get to a few UConn games a year...really enjoy them..
18 posted on 08/05/2003 10:24:37 AM PDT by ken5050
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

Comment #19 Removed by Moderator

To: mr.pink
...he puts a pretty damn good product on the floor.

Ping me after he's won a few championships and we'll talk.

20 posted on 08/05/2003 10:41:24 AM PDT by Veggie Todd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-26 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson