Cuban's Chance Of Buying Cubs Seen As Slim Even Before SEC Charges

Cuban's Latest Proposal For Cubs Reportedly Did Not Qualify Him As A "Serious Buyer"

CUBAN FIGHTS BACK: Cuban yesterday on his blog defended his innocence on the SEC charges, saying that he "never agreed to keep private information about pending financing of an Internet company" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 11/19). In DC, Tom Knott writes Cuban "already should be working quietly behind the scenes with the feds to resolve the $750,000 question enveloping him." Cuban could "attempt to make the matter go away by agreeing to reimburse the $750,000" and pay a fine to the SEC, which would be the "economically sensible course" of action. But Knott notes Cuban is said to have "used his insider's knowledge for monetary gain," which is "not much different" from former NBA referee Tim Donaghy. That perception "probably will cost Cuban his opportunity to purchase" the Cubs, and it also could prompt NBA Commissioner David Stern to "take a peek into Cuban's business dealings" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/19). The AP's Jaime Aron wrote, "However this plays out, it's a hit on Cuban's reputation as the Everyman fan who hit the Internet lottery, became a billionaire and bought his favorite team" (AP, 11/18).

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