Riding The Fine: Where Do All Of Mark Cuban's Fines Go?

It "remains a mystery which charities benefit" when the NBA "hands down a fine," according to ESPN.com's Darren Rovell, who cites two unnamed "high-ranking" team execs as saying that they "assumed that money from player fines went to charity," but that they "have never been made aware of the specifics." Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban said, "I don't know who the NBA gives the money to, but I would love to know." More Cuban: "I think the NBA has the right to and should keep all of its disciplinary actions private. ... But its just like the NBA to send a press release announcing I have been fined, but not to announce the positive part of the message, that the money I have been fined is going to charity. That's NBA Marketing 101." Rovell reported, unlike some fines, fines levied against teams, owners and game officials are not shared with the NBPA. NBA Senior Dir of Sports Media Relations Seth Sylvan said that money from those fines "can go directly into the league coffers, since the direction of such fines are not stipulated" in the NBA's constitution or CBA (ESPN.com, 4/25).

BLOWING KISSES: NBA Senior VP/Communications Brian McIntyre said there would be "no action taken" by NBA VP Stu Jackson after a review of Cuban's altercation with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan during Game One of the teams' series (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/26). CNN/SI's Vince Cellini, on Cuban's behavior: "Mark, how old are you now — 12? Think you're a tough guy?" But CNN/SI's Fred Hickman: "I'm still a Mark Cuban guy, OK? I'm alone on an island. He's the drunk uncle of the family. You love him but you can't get rid of him" ("Sports Tonight," CNN/SI, 4/25). In Dallas, Kevin Blackistone notes Cuban's "histrionics" and writes Cuban "ought to recuse himself in whatever skybox he owns at the Mavericks' new arena. ... The question is what will make Cuban realize the fallacy of his ways?" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/26). The viewer poll question on last night's FSN's "NSR" asked: "Is Mark Cuban good for the NBA?" 54% said no, 46% said yes. ("NSR," FSN, 4/25). Cuban: "I am who I am. Why change now?" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/26).

GOING GLOBAL: The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's John Lombardo reported the NBA will open an office in Shanghai, China, this fall, and that an office in Brazil and Argentina are "also on the drawing board," as the league "looks to make deeper inroads into its emerging overseas markets." The NBA has an office in Hong Kong, "but the league wants to capitalize on the vast Chinese market by boosting its presence" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/23 issue).

Print This Article