Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban initially had a one-word response to a conservative radio host who suggested it would have nothing to do with the team if any player knelt during the national anthem.
“Goodbye,” Cuban tweeted.
But that was not the end of the matter. US Senator Ted Cruz (Republican of Texas) got involved and accused Cuban of “telling everyone who defends the flag, who honors our police officers and veterans, to” piss off. “An angry exchange between the two men followed. , with the billionaire and politician touching on topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the NBA’s relationship with China.
Mark Davis, whose radio show airs on 660-AM in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, sent the tweet that started all Sunday night.
“I am so ready to be in the final stretch of this year’s #Mavericks: so much promise, so much personality,” he wrote. “But the moment a player kneels down during the anthem, I am OUT.”
I’m so ready to be in the final stretch of this year’s #Mavericks: so much promise, so much personality. But the moment a player kneels during the anthem, I am OUT. Surely @mcuban can lead the way for #Mavs, #NBA to make any gesture they want without insulting the nation. https://t.co/PWMWrpgwAc
– Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) July 20, 2020
Davis went on to label Cuban, suggesting that the team owner should lead the way for players to “make whatever gesture they want without insulting the nation.”
After his initial three-letter response, Cuban expanded on his thoughts in another tweet.
The National Anthem Police in this country is out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before starting work. https://t.co/NUwv7asO44
– Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
“The National Anthem Police in this country is out of control,” Cuban wrote. “If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask him why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before starting work.”
Cruz soon jumped into the fray.
Really??!?
Does the NBA tell everyone who represents the flag, who honors our police officers and veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less?
Good luck with that. pic.twitter.com/AVWLMZIqu0
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Cuban responded Monday morning. Here are some of the changes that followed:
Yes, Mark, my communication tweeting my response to the world was intended to keep it a secret. Because you are very afraid.
I’m a Rockets fan, but I’m more than happy to cheer on the Mavericks (great team this year). It’s sad to see you telling so many Texans to “piss off.” https://t.co/s68JYk9MLR
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Still no reply from @mcuban
Let’s try simpler. Mark, tough guy, can you say “Free Hong Kong”?
Can your players put that on their jerseys?
Can you condemn the CCP’s concentration camps with 1 million Uighurs?
Can you say more than “Chairman Mao is beautiful and wise”? https://t.co/0XpLRaFSw2
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
I can say Black Lives Matter. I can say that there is systemic racism in this country. I can say that there is a pandemic that has done little to end. I can say that I care about this country first and last and … https://t.co/URFs41XloY
– Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Why, @tedcruz, are you so proud to stand up and tell the Chinese the truth, but don’t have the ability to stand up and tell @realdonaldtrump the truth?
– Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
I agree with Black Lives Matter.
I agree that there is a pandemic and we have taken extraordinary measures to overcome it.
Where did that pandemic originate?
Why did Communist China COVER the Wuhan outbreak and arrest whistleblowers?
And why are you terrified of saying A WORD about China? https://t.co/Tfj2tZnmCP
– Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
In 2017 Cuban stated that he expected his players to perform the anthem. But after George Floyd’s death this spring, Cuban said he would have no problem with any Mavericks member kneeling down during the song, as long as they were respectful in doing so.
“I would be proud of them,” Cuban told ESPN in June. “I hope to join them.”
