Spreading confusion since 2002

Mark Cuban and free speech

I read (and commented) on Cuban's blog regarding this last week(end?), I think Cuban actually does have a right to criticize Stern and the NBA, if that is what Cuban wishes to do. The NBA should be robust enough to listen to a little kvetching. I also made the point that James Dolan Dickweek also seemed a little ridiculous for firing Marv Albert because Albert refused to avoid criticizing the New York Knicks, even when they played horribly. I guess Dolan wanted announcers like Don Poier, who is just horrible to listen to. Personally, even if I am watching a game as a partisan (rooting for a particular team, which is the whole point, right?), I would rather the announcers would remain neutral.

From ESPN.com - NBA - Ratto: The real marketing 'genius'
Mark Cuban was fined (Gasp!) the other day (What took them so long?) for felonious sarcasm (No!) directed at the man who runs the National Basketball Association (Mirabile dictu!).

Cuban says something on his Weblog, blogmaverick.com, about the NBA starting its new season last Tuesday ("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.") thereby costing him a sure Opening Night sellout and an undisclosed sum of money he had to sweep his eight-iron under the refrigerator to collect.

But here's the twist. Cubes, if he doesn't mind our newfound familiarity, asked this musical question on his blog: "Do the customers and fans of the NBA or other leagues feel it makes the league appear strong, weaker or unaffected when a player, owner, coach, GM or executive publicly criticizes the league?"

Well, Laughing Boy, let me explain it to you this way. Those crab puffs and brie wheels at David Stern's office Christmas party don't pay for themselves.

This is an interesting way for Cuban to attack what he clearly considers a problem --- polling an audience already predisposed by their very choice of Internet sites to see it his way, as though this were just another red state/blue state thing. Though he's doing it with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, he's clearly tired of writing checks to SternCo.

And yet, we suspect (Because Cubes' last stupid day on earth might have been his third birthday) he already knows not only what his audience will tell him, but the real reason he gets fined in the first place: It is the only way for the Emperor-Commissioner to do what gets done every day in every tavern in America -- for the bartender to tell the customers that it's just time to shut the hell up.

James Dolan, Dorkweed

Maybe Bloomberg and Dorkweed Dolan could rent a room and spank each other for a while. It could be a pay-per-view event, but I imagine the ratings would be pretty low.... From ESPN.com - NFL - NY mayor rips Cablevision over anti-stadium ads

NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg scolded Cablevision on Tuesday, saying the corporate owner of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden should spend money on its stumbling sports teams instead of on ads criticizing him and a proposed West Side stadium for the Jets.

"The Knicks are going to have a struggle," Bloomberg said. "I think the coach is a good coach. He could use a lot more money. They'd be better off spending their money there than (on) these ridiculous ads. As for these ads, they are outrageous lies."


Cablevision Systems Corp., the primary opponent of a $1.4 billion sports complex on the West Side of Manhattan, has produced a series of television ads that have become increasingly disparaging of the mayor.


The advertisements, which air regularly on television and radio, claim that the city's $300 million contribution to the project makes no sense given its potential budget deficits for the next three years. Cablevision also is concerned that a new stadium would compete for entertainment events with Madison Square Garden, located a few blocks away.

...

On Tuesday, Bloomberg, who attends Knicks and Rangers games regularly, belittled Cablevision for its ad costs given the amount of tax breaks the company receives from the city.

"Well, I don't know why the stockholders of Cablevision put up with it," Bloomberg said. "Cablevision has probably spent the same amount of money producing ads that the tax break that the taxpayers of this state have given them. If they spent $11 million more on the Knicks, maybe the Knicks would be a better team and that would fill Madison Square Garden."


Madison Square Garden Chairman James Dolan, Dorkweed, responded: "The mayor is trying to hide a flawed and financially risky plan by taking cheap shots at Madison Square Garden."


The stadium would be built on the three blocks bound by 30th and 33rd streets and 11th and 12th avenues. Besides housing the Jets, it would be designed to host conventions and concerts.
...

The city hopes to begin construction next spring, but the state Legislature and the City Council must approve the plan. Public hearings will be held soon.