While explaining how he told his players the team was better off losing this season, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said “I’m probably not supposed to say this” and “Adam would hate hearing that.”
Cuban was right.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver fined Cuban $600,000 for “public statements detrimental to the NBA.” The league doesn’t announce all its fines, but that’s the third-largest known fine in NBA history.
The leaderboard:
1. Timberwolves, $3.5 million in 2000 (signing under-the-table agreement with Joe Smith)
2. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, $2.5 million in 2014 (making racist comments)
3. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, $600,000 in 2018 (saying he told his players the team is better off losing)
4. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, $500,000 in 2002 (criticizing officiating)
4. Knicks, $500,000 in 2006 (fighting Nuggets)
4. Nuggets, $500,000 2006 (fighting Knicks)
4. Vladimir Radmanovic, $500,000 in 2007 (injuring his shoulder while snowboarding)
4. Pistons general manager Joe Dumars, $500,000 in 2010 (leaking confidential league memos)
4. Heat owner Micky Arison, $500,000 in 2011 (tweets during the lockout breaking rank with other owners)
I’d be on Cuban (and/or the Mavericks) getting yet another spot on this list following the investigation of the franchise for a culture tolerant of sexual harassment and domestic abuse. That one will probably be deserved – not just the league trying to preserve the illusion of pure competition amid a system that incentivizes losing.
