Mark Cuban vs. The NBA

For those who don't keep up with the NBA, or the rich and famous. Mark Cuban is the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks. He bought the team back in 2000, and has seen it rise to competitive success over the last few years.

Since he bought the team in 2000, Cuban has paid no less than $1,600,000 in fines to the NBA, the two most recent being a $200K fine during the San Antonio series, and then another $250K fine more recently during the playoff championship with the Heat.

I wish I could shrug off those kinds of fines, I'm pissed when I get a $50 parking ticket.

Cuban is a harsh critic of the NBA, and increasingly so over the last few years. The fines have been earned not so much because of the criticism, but the method of delivery. The most recent for telling a reporter to ask "A real fucking question." among other things.

So needless to say, after his latest appearance in the headlines for his $250k fine, I thought it was worth while to check out this blog at blogmaverick.com and it was well worth a laugh. A commentary from an unrepentant, unyielding critic of professional sport who speaks his mind and has the ability to put his money where his mouth is and on top of that doesn't really give a crap what management has to say about it. His case is reasoned, and at the same time entertaining showing that he's the same as guy as the sports nut at the end of the bar shouting down the ref through the TV.

To his credit, for those who don't share his views and/or this methods, it has been reported that Mark Cuban has matched his NBA fines dollar for dollar with a contribution to charity. Basically paying for the parking ticket and handing the guy on the corner another $50. Some might say that he's masking his guilt for inappropriate behavior by donating money, personally I see it as upping the ante and thumbing his nose at the NBA establishment. Basically saying "So you think money is gonna silence me?, ya well watch this."