Former MLB commissioner: Mark Cuban is a ‘real problem’

Speaking on ESPN Radio yesterday, former MLB commissioner Fay Vincent compared Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

“I think it’s more important for owners to be gentlemen, play by the rules, respect the authorities, do what’s good for the sport, than it is to manage his franchise to total success, Vincent said. “The subtleties make the difference. George Steinbrenner was a real problem in baseball, and I think Mark Cuban is a real problem in basketball.”

Cuban has had a history with current NBA commissioner David Stern and over the course of his career has assessed $1.7 million in fines. “The rules are the rules. I think this enormous criticism – the screaming about officials, the kinds of things that got him fined by David – those are not the actions of a sensible, responsible owner,” Vincent said. “I mean, winning is not everything, and I’m afraid for some of these owners they get so carried away with winning they believe that’s the objective.”

3 Comments for “Former MLB commissioner: Mark Cuban is a ‘real problem’”

1. matt Says:
   June 16th, 2011 at 11:06 pm

   It is about winning. You play to win the game. Is this little league? Professional sports means you pay for the best athletes in the world to play games to win. I thought this would have been obvious to a former comish. I’m a boston fan through and true and even I can objectively say stienbrenner was great for baseball and without a doubt the most galvanizing manager to buy and operate a team. Cuban has brought complex business innovative practices that has changed the nba and who doesn’t like those shmedium tee’s.

2. Annie Says:
   June 16th, 2011 at 11:44 pm

   I have known Mark personally for decades. This man is as intelligent as they come. He made a scene at games to get the fans excited, to have something for them to talk about, to make them come see what all the fuss was. He succeed in doing exactly that! The crowds were sell outs. The fans enticed. The fines were just a trade off for marketing fees. What he accomplished is not much different than what McEnroe did for tennis. Was he off the wall, not following the rules? Heck yes! ANd that is what makes both men so iconic and interesting. Mark only thinks outside the box and beyond. I couldn’t be prouder or happier for my friend and the Mavs. Their win is well deserved!

3. Dan Berman Says:
   June 17th, 2011 at 8:44 am

   How arrogant. Baseball never likes owners with any personality, like Bill Veeck.
   http://pinetarandbrickbats.blogspot.com/2011/06/mark-cuban-problem-owner.html

Leave a Reply