Deadspin
We know. You're like us. You've always wished professional sports owners could be more like Mark Cuban. He's cool! He's like a real fan! He has a blog! He's not afraid to pick a nonsensical fight with Midwesterners! But, alas, we should perhaps not be too surprised: He's as bad as the rest of them. Perhaps worse.
After a Dallas Morning News reporter/blogger broke some embarrassing news about a "Fire Avery Johnson" campaign after a game late last month, the Mavericks and Cuban announced that no one writing a blog will be allowed in the locker room.
The Dallas Mavericks will not allow ANY writer into the locker room areas pre-game and post-game whose primary purpose is to blog no matter what affiliation. They may still represent their respective publication at games but will not be granted locker room access.
We have gone this route because we did not want to give preferential treatment to any blogger, whether they are an individual or from a large media outlet. We just do not have enough room in the locker room, nor enough media passes to fairly accommodate everyone.
Tim MacMahon, the blogger/reporter who might have caused all this fuss, points out that the Mavericks locker room is enormous and has never had a problem with overcrowding before. (He can't say it, because he's all "impartial" and "objective" and therefore can't just completely call bullshit on Cuban, so we will: Bullshit.) We presume this no-bloggers policy doesn't extend to, of course, Cuban himself.
We haven't talked much about our whole imbroglio with Cuban, not because we feared we were in the wrong (we're 100 percent certain we weren't), but because we hadn't quite come to terms with the fact that a guy we've always respected could be so petty and deluded. (He's also partially responsible for No End In Sight and Bubble, two great movies.) But our experience with him doesn't compare to this. Essentially, a man who supposedly is a champion of new media is attempting to control coverage of his team, even from "legitimate" credentialed reporters. Charming, really.
There has to be something more to this, right? Right?
Cuban's Policy Bans Bloggers From Locker Room [MavsBlog]
Comments
Now that the Mav's are going to miss the playoffs, Cuban is getting a little antsy. That's probably all there is to it.
Will, are you really sure it's ethical to reference your past experience interviewing Cuban on Deadspin?
There is more. Cuban is a rich douchebag.
I dunno, there was always a hint of douche there - even if he was having more fun than the other owners.
@Captain Caveman:
+1. He should probably hire Mr. Stokke at some point for representation.
Someone should tell him he has Barbaro embroidered on his shirt.
QUITE FRANKLY, YOU ARE RUINING ANY CHANCE I HAVE LEFT OF REMAINING IN THIS NATION'S CONSCIOUSNESS. PLEASE RECONSIDER.
QUITE FRANKLY, MARK CUBAN AND I HAVE A GREAT DEAL IN COMMON; THAT BEING A PASSIONATE HATRED FOR BLOGGERS, FASCINATION FOR OVERRATED NBA PLAYERS, AND THE TASTE OF DELICIOUS CHEEZ DOODLES.
@Captain Caveman: You're right! Shit! It's not just unethical, it's probably illegal!
Mark Cuban, George Soros and Richard Branson should all get into Payne Stewart's plane.
That is a disgusting act by Will Leitch. It's unfortunate that we have to view Mark Cuban in Deadspin widescreen.
Allowing equal treatment amounts to giving preferential treatment? When did Scalia buy the Mavs?
For all Wizards visits Agent Zero will have to change on the team bus.
Relax, he'll let everyone back in once the plugs start to blend with his real hair.
Ah, how times have changed. Twenty years ago, "no blogging in the locker room" would simply be a ban on intra-squad gay sex.
@Civil Negligence: Damn.
Actually I heard that Cuban was close to reaching a one-year deal with one Robert "Tractor" Traylor.
This is just because they acquired Kidd. Cuban doesnt want to be liable for any injuries caused by flying cookies.
@Mr. Marinovich: But does he lead the league in smiles?
So, is this it? After a few years as being an "owner of the people" and a "friend of bloggers," is Mark Cuban's goodwill among those of sports blogs now deceased?
@MENACEIISOBRIETY: We're gonna keep Soros; it's too much fun watching people get apoplectic about him.
No bloggers allowed in the locker room but he allows Hasselhoff to live in a laundry hamper in there.
Doesn't seem fair.
LEONSIS: "Brashear, to the Caps-mobile! It's time we showed Mr. Cuban how we blog roll!"
I heard a rumor recently that Cuban had his blog posts proofread by an editor.
If this is true, he never really was a blogger was he.
@the earl of weaver: At least Will got to see his package in the locker room, but as for checking out Lasagna Diop's johnson, he'll just have to keep dreaming.
A billionaire should really be able to afford a t-shirt.
I still wish he'd buy the Cubs.
Was he rubbing one out when that photo was taken?
@MyronCopacetic: And a better haircut.
The bloggers will be allowed to return to the locker room once the Cones of Silence have been installed over each player's locker.
@Wyshynski: +1. It's even funnier if you envision the Caps-mobile as an old German motorcycle, with Brashear riding in the sidecar.
@Wyshynski: Word. Half of my crush on Leonsis comes from his blog. (The other half being his looks and money.)
Actually, he's just being conservative. He's not quite sure this "Internet" thing is going to make it.
pffft. Everyone knows bloggers don't leave their mother's basement.
/kornheiser
@TheStarterWife: The man is a consummate salesman; just don't look behind the curtain.
That said I also hope he buys the Cubs.
Why would a blogger even want locker room access? Unless they're just curious about, you know, relative size of power forward dong.
Who's to say what is a blog and what is not?
Mark Cuban, that's who.
2008 has been a bad year for Cuban leaders.
Well if the only thing stopping Cuban from buying the Cubs has been the fact that he's not like other MLB owners....
I'm shocked that someone wearing a gold chain could be so loathsome.
@twoeightnine: That could be Cuban's O-face(, or post-O face.) In widescren.
Nightmare fuel tag please.
I can see his point. Who wants sucking mole rats running around the locker room?
Cuban looks like the type of guy who would tell you that G. Love & Special Sauce are underrated.
@Botswana Meat Commission FC: I don't know about you, but this fact is the main reason I'm majoring in journalism.
Cuban Hates bloggers. Spitzer uses hookers. Deadspin doesn't work anymore. Whats next?
I'm going back to bed.
I remember the days when Cuban was getting bombed in bars, and telling women that for every billion he earns, his dick grows another inch. Now Cuban is totally lame. What would possess such a smart guy to do something that looks so bad?
Boy, Bill Cowher is in trouble.
@Botswana Meat Commission FC: Relative to what? Three-point specialist dong?
@Botswana Meat Commission FC:
@Christ Sabo:
If blogging equaled locker room access then there would be a shitload of blogs about NFL cheerleaders.
Why does anyone care what this guy thinks, anyway? He didn't even win Dancing With The Stars.
My feudin' boots are out for repairs. Can this wait till Thursday?
@Gourmet Spud: And he makes a shitty Peanut Buster Parfait.
@Benny Hill Street Blues: Exactly. That's why I'll make an anonymous blog titled Dalembert's Dong:Your One-Stop Source for NBA Players Dick Sizes.
No competition, and then SI would surely come calling shortly afterwards.
"WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" - Cuban
I could've sworn it was Cuban who served me my Oreo Bilzzard last week.
@Hank Scorpio: fine. but we get to burn cornell west at the stake. deal?
Yeah, I'm guessing this guy spent a lot of time with his head being shoved in a toilet back in High School.
@MENACEIISOBRIETY: Yeah, sure; jsut try not to confuse him with Henry Louis Gates.
Cuban acts like everyone's little brother.
"There's no room for bloggers in here since I got my billion dollar penis! IT'S FUCKING HUGE NOW!
WHY DO YOU THINK WE TRADED DIOP?!"
His look is more laundry day than billionaire.