NBA Thwarts Cuban’s Idea To Give Fans Free Game Seven Tix

Cuban Still Planning On Giving Away 1,400 Tickets For Possible Game Seven

Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban said that he “explored giving away free tickets to everyone” in American Airlines Center for a potential NBA Finals Game Seven, “but was told by the NBA office he couldn’t,” according to David Moore of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Cuban: “Because of the pricing and the fact that a percentage goes to the league, I understood it. They make plans for all that money. It was just an idea I had as a thank you, but I understand completely. I don’t have a problem with it.” Cuban said that he plans to distribute the 1,400 tickets available to the general public free of charge should the series go to a Game Seven, but lawyers are “looking into all of the ramifications.” Cuban: “I’ll probably pay something to the league for doing it.” Cuban also chartered a plane to Miami for last night’s Game Five for the 78 team employees not already there (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/19).

PRICE OF SUCCESS: In Dallas, Eddie Sefko reports the Mavericks “already are guaranteed at least $1.996[M] as a team, even if they lose the NBA Finals.” The franchise received just over $200,000 for having the second-best regular-season record in the Western Conference, with additional payments of more than $600,000 for making it through the first three rounds of the playoffs. The winning team of the Finals will earn $1,770,947, while the losing team will get $1,173,474 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/19).

FIRST LOOK: Also in Dallas, Brad Townsend noted Mavericks investors Hal Browning and Horace Ardinger have each owned their 4.13% stakes since the team’s inaugural season in ’80. They paid $300,000-400,000 for their shares and were “paid back their original investment within three years” because the team operated in the black, and they “haven’t paid a nickel since.” Cuban offered to buy their stake in ’00 when he bought the team for $280M, valuing their shares at nearly $12M each. Ardinger: “No reason for me to sell. Hasn’t ever crossed my mind” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/18).