Cuban said that Marshall would have complete autonomy in her new role with the MavsNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
New interim Mavericks CEO Cynthia Marshall during her intro presser yesterday "outlined three primary areas of focus in her plan to address the franchise's issues: an independent investigation, cultural transformation and operational effectiveness," according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com. The former AT&T Senior VP/HR & Chief Diversity Officer was "recruited" by Mavs Owner Mark Cuban in the wake of last week's SI report. Marshall said, "I really want to see us as a model of how to respond to this. This is going on all around the country. I want us to be a model." Cuban "deferred to Marshall" throughout yesterday's press conference and "nodded when she indicated that she would have complete autonomy." She "vowed to create a culture of respect and fairness for all cultures and genders." Marshall: "It's a workplace where there is zero tolerance" (ESPN.com, 2/26). In Dallas, Eddie Sefko notes Marshall will "oversee all non-basketball operations." Cuban said that when she "fulfills obligations remaining on a contract her consulting firm has, the 'interim' tag will be removed from her title." The Mavs are getting a "confident, decisive and charismatic leader who has a strong history of knowing how to run an efficient business with emphasis on diversity and inclusion. ... And huge dose of no-nonsense." Marshall will "be in charge." That much was "made clear" yesterday (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/27).
MUM'S THE WORD: The AP's Schuyler Dixon noted Cuban let Marshall "do most of the talking." He also "wouldn't address how much he knew" about complaints of sexual misconduct before the SI report. Cuban said, "All of that will come out from the investigators' report, so I'll defer to that" (AP, 2/26). In Dallas, Brad Townsend notes virtually every time Cuban was "asked a direct question by a reporter, he first looked at Marshall" before answering. Marshall's "striking charm and decisiveness was just as clearly convenient," as Cuban "deflected any attempt to ask him hard questions" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/27). Marshall: “Transformation is what I do, it takes a team and a village and we’ll get this done.” In Ft. Worth, Kevin Casas notes Marshall "used the news conference to assert her marching orders from Cuban" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 2/27). Also in Dallas, Kevin Sherrington writes Marshall is "eloquent, candid" and "wildly engaging." She was a "breath of fresh air" at yesterday's presser (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/27).
KEEPING THINGS CONTAINED: The AP's Jim Vertuno notes the impact of the Mavs' allegations has "yet to be measured against Cuban’s business and media interests," as sponsors "haven’t bailed on his team" or his TV show, "Shark Tank." Cuban two days after the SI report "pulled out of a scheduled appearance next month" at the SXSW festival in Austin. SXSW organizers said that it was "Cuban’s choice to cancel" (AP, 2/27).
