Mark Cuban On Rush Limbaugh’s Bid: “Relative to the bigger picture he’s a small minority owner that could create a lot of problems for the league. There’s just no upside to the league.”
October 15, 2009 – 3:00 am by Bunk
I don’t read Mark Cuban’s blog nearly as much as I’d like to. It’s usually chock full of interesting perspectives and insights about sports, business, and other relevant current events. And not just in the world of sports either. His solution to the problem of the failing newspaper industrywas probably the most rationale and interesting take I’ve read/heard about the subject. Anyway, Cuban’s latest commentary came on The Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, when he joined DP to talk about Rush Limbaugh’s attempt to purchase the St. Louis Rams as well as referees. You can also read his take on the matter on his blog.
On how extensive the background check was when he was attempting to buy the Dallas Mavericks, and on how aware he was of how rigorous the process was:
“You know, they didn’t tell me specifically but I sure heard from a whole lot of friends I hadn’t heard from in a long time and from former business associates who said people were calling them asking about me. So I don’t know all the details and for new owners who have come in since me, I haven’t asked what we do, so I couldn’t really tell you in depth what the specifics are.”
On if he thinks Limbaugh should be an NFL owner:
“No, not at all. For the reasons I wrote on my blog. I don’t think the concern is really what he has said in the past even though they’re kind of using that as a starting point. I think the real question is what’s the upside for the NFL. This isn’t a guy who’s coming in and saying, know what, I’m going to pay $2 billion for this team and jack up all the valuations of every franchise in to the stratosphere. This is a guy who’s just a small minority owner - and that’s no disrespect to Rush. His money is green and it’s a lot of money whatever he’s investing. But relative to the bigger picture he’s a small minority owner that could create a lot of problems for the league. There’s just no upside to the league.”
On if he expects Limbaugh to be approved:
“If he has the money, then it wouldn’t shock me at all if they did not approve it; it would shock me if they did approve him.”
On why he would be shocked if he was approved:
“Simply because, and I went in to it on my blog, because Rush has a full-time job and that’s where he earns most of his money from all I can tell. And I think between doing what’s best for the NFL and doing what’s best for his employer who’s paying him tens of millions of dollars a year, he’s going to do what’s best for his job and his employer and that’s a big risk.”
On the replacement refs in the NBA:
“I want to see the traditional - the old refs - come back. They’ve worked their butts off and given a lot of blood, sweat and tears and so have their families to the NBA. So I want to see them come back, but I think everybody expected the replacement refs just to crash and burn and they haven’t. The three games that we’ve had, they’ve done a really, really good job. There’s no agenda, there’s no game management, it’s just call the game the best you can and to me that’s refreshing.”
Listen here to Cuban on The Dan Patrick Show
Tags: Dan Patrick Show, Mark Cuban, NBA, NBA referees, Rush Limbaugh trying to purchase St. Louis Rams
6 Responses to “Mark Cuban On Rush Limbaugh’s Bid: “Relative to the bigger picture he’s a small minority owner that could create a lot of problems for the league. There’s just no upside to the league.””
I guess Cuban had no problem with McCarthyism and the firing of all of those directors, writers, and actors. There was no upside for the movie studios in keeping Stalinist sympathizers.
Does Cuban think he is the only one entitled to make controversial statements. Doesn’t he believe in the principle of free expression. Isn’t he repelled by the thought that bullies like Sharpton and Jackson have the power to exercise veto power over who should own sports teams. Isn’t he concerned about politics intruding into an area of life that was free of the anxiety of political opinions?
Wait until they come for you Mark.
By John Sotirakis on Oct 15, 2009
@John Sotirakis:
The biggest problem with McCarthyism is that people were begin strung up on rumors. Anyone pointing a finger could ruin your career. Unless you’re going to tell me that there isn’t any evidence that Rush Limbaugh is, in fact, a controversial radio personality, the comparison doesn’t really mean anything.
And are you honestly saying that sports was politics free? Ever? Joe Louis vs. Max Schmelling? The US not going to the 1980 Olympics? That’s blatantly false nostalgia.
Cuban put it quite perfectly: Rush Limbaugh was a bad business decision for the NFL. You know what the difference between Cuban and Limbaugh is? Hundreds of millions of dollars.
By Mike C on Oct 15, 2009