Joe Kinsey
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Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says the national anthem isn’t being played before games at American Airlines Center, and he has no plans to play it going forward. The team owner refused to comment further when reached by The Athletic.
According to the outlet, Cuban and the team didn’t make it known they were going to remove the anthem from the pregame routine, but “a number of team employees only noticed the removal of the anthem on their own.” Those employees also say there was no explanation as to why the anthem was removed.
Cuban, who usually isn’t shy about sharing his opinion on current events, was silent Tuesday night when The Athletic dropped its report.
During a July Twitter argument with Ted Cruz, the Mavs owner ended one of his tweets by writing, “I can say I care about this country first and last.”
Cuban has been outspoken about supporting players for taking a knee during the anthem. Now the owner has gone a step further and removed the anthem altogether. No more kneeling or anthem. Cuban has spoken.
“If they were taking a knee and they were being respectful, I’d be proud of them. Hopefully I’d join them,” Cuban told Outside The Lines in June.
Three years ago, Cuban had a different tone.
“This is America, and I’m proud of people who speak out civilly. That’s who we are as a country,” Cuban said at the time. “I’ll be standing there with my hand over my heart. I think the players will be [standing]. I expect them to be.”
UPDATE:
NBA Insider® Shams Charnia reports a source close to Cuban tells him the anthem decision “isn’t because they don’t love U.S., but because many feel anthem doesn’t represent them, and they want to continue discussion of how to represent people from all communities when honoring U.S. at game.”
This just makes Cuban a hero to the liberal media. I’m in the minority that feels that it won’t impact the NBA at all. NBA fans are mostly either blacks or big-city white liberals, neither of whom embrace traditions like the flag and the national anthem.
For whatever speculation existed that Marc Cuban would make a run for president, I suppose that was ended last night.
You are half right. Hispanics and Asians are huge fans as well.
I do not really care. Outside the Olympics, I always thought an anthem before any sporting event was silly. At the Olympics, it makes sense since countries are competing.
Austin you make a good point. I Love the USA, but sports today is a business and although I do not want them to stop playing our National Anthem before sporting events, it seems the course and I will not support them, but it MUST be played at ALL International Sporting Events where the players of The United States of America are representing this country. If those participating members fail to stand and display pride in representing the country from which they are representing, they should either be kicked off the team or make the decision not to play. NO other country in the world will permit anything less than their National Anthem and having their participants standing proudly for Their Country!
Disgusting how many “citizens” hate this country
It’s just more proof that Cuban, Adam Silver, LeBron James and the rest of the NBA is more loyal to their real owners….China. This isn’t even up for debate anymore. The NBA is a disgusting league with the majority of their players having an IQ, reading and speaking level of an elementary school child.
I also just listened to Shannon Sharpe say he’s ok with it also. Sharpe was a great player and I sometimes don’t mind his takes on his show, but the more he drinks the LeBron koolaid, the lower his IQ goes and the more his hatred towards America and white people in general shows.
Maybe he will play the Chinese national anthem before games instead.
Ron, I was thinking the same thing! In fact, I say that they should go play all their games in China. It’s already basically the CCBL (Communist Chinese Basketball League), and replace the Jerry West logo with Xi Ping.
Is it possible this will replace our Anthem soon? https://youtu.be/UctriMuXYS0
Let’s never forget that Mark Cuban said that he wouldn’t criticize China’s Uighur concentration camps because it’s part of China’s domestic policy and not our concern.
Well I care and Fuck cuban what a small minded pos the Chicom league just keeps getting worse and if your relying on blacks to support this crap good luck with that most don’t make enough cheddar to even make a difference.
Commie cuban
Disappointing but not surprising. I used to not mind Cuban, but in recent years, the more he says and does the less I like him. He’s the classic nerd who got rich but is still a nerd and acts like it. Btw, I haven’t watched a NBA game in over a year and have no plans to do so.
Let me get this straight. So Cuban supported standing and said the players should also. Then he supported kneeling, said he would be proud of those who did and would join them. Now he is removing the players opportunity to protest and will not comment on it. Seems like someone who does not know what he believes.
They shouldn’t play the National Anthem before NBA games. These fake protesting communist Chinese government Ball licking drama queen bitches are not worthy of hearing it. Move the whole league to the home of their slave labor puppet masters in China. Cuban is the poster child for spoiled ungrateful shitbags that hate the freedom and the country that has given him so much.
Sad. In so many ways, it must be tough to be a soldier, sailor, police, etc. To serve a country that has summarily rejected you and the premise that our nation was built. Cuban’s desire to serve China and/or a socialist utopia rather than the promise of American opportunity.
I don’t believe in cancel culture, but I suspect this will hurt him in the short term. But like most things, we will submit to the leftists decisions and it will just fade away from our emotions.
If the anthem isn’t played then the NBA mutants will not be able to dis-respect it. I’m fine with this decision. Oh, and remove the Stars and Stripes as well! Maybe go with the flag of Wakanda.
Or the red flag with stars…since that’s where their bread is buttered anyway.
“but because many feel anthem doesn’t represent them, and they want to continue discussion of how to represent people from all communities when honoring U.S. at game”
I am genuinely curious to see what they come up with. What if this plan isn’t acceptable to those that feel like the Anthem represents them? Too bad for them? Because Cuban know better? What will happen is nothing. It will get scrubbed from pre-game. Just like prayer and the pledge of allegiance from schools.
Cuban’s opinions and rationale are blowing around in the wind. The bottom line with this is he is making a business decision so admit it. Same goes with his decision to stay out of “China domestic policy”. Don’t be a hypocrite Mark just admit it and move on. Let’s see if this decision holds up on the night the Mavericks have “Seats for Soldiers”. Just another liberal who can not get “woke” enough.
Exactly. Don’t piss on my head and tell me its raining. He thinks this will appeal to enough of his customers to matter. maybe he’s right, but I’m not one of them.
If the anthem doesn’t represent someone, then they can move to China.
Fine with me. I’d rather not play it than have it disrespected. Sports leagues have become far too flippant and careless with an anthem that represents the “awful” country they’re more than happy to get rich off of. The anthem isn’t a punching bag for every discontent’s personal beef with life. Go get counseling for that. If you ask me they don’t deserve to play it.
This is mostly where I land – why have an exercise before each event that serves only as a vehicle for complaint. Unfortunately I think we’re quickly getting to a point at which everyone feels that our institutions and symbols are reserved for the other side – everyone thinks the system is screwing them. That’s a tough foundation for a self-governing society and volunteer defense. Maybe the progressives will regret it when there’s no one left to fill their arenas – or grow their food, or fight their wars…
And the destruction of the NBA continues
“isn’t because they don’t love U.S., but because many feel anthem doesn’t represent them, and they want to continue discussion of how to represent people from all communities when honoring U.S. at game.”
Take note: most of the people who feel the anthem doesn’t represent them are pretty much Marxists. Skin color and sexuality is just the diversion.
Exactly
Fuck the white hating NBA and douchebags like Cuban and Sixers owner Rubin. Will not watch. Ever.
Go full on dictator loving Commie, Mark, and play the CCP anthem.
Stopped watching the NBA over a year ago, never will again. Dying sport in the US run by America-hating Marxists. Plus, their product sucks.
People confuse hitting the lottery like Cuban did by seeking his turd Broadcast.com to Yahoo with intelligence. It’s unfortunate.
All Chabenisky cares about is the yuan to shekel exchange rate….
I wonder if they would’ve kneeled while Mike Eruzione was singing on the podium.
This just in…nobody cares about the Mavs or the rest of the communist cry babies of the National Ballerina Association. Do us all a favor & just go away!
Cuban is a detestable globalist.