Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stated that the “National Anthem Police in this country is out of control,” leading to a tense Twitter exchange with Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican who represents Texas.
Cuban initially tweeted “Bye” Sunday night in response to a tweet from Mark Davis in which the conservative Dallas-based talk show host expressed his enthusiasm for the Mavs, but added that he would no longer be a fan “on the moment a player kneels down for the anthem, “suggesting that Cuban could help guide the Mavs and NBA” to make whatever gesture they want without insulting the nation. “
Cuban elaborated 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 tweeted. “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, who became a staunch supporter of Donald Trump after finishing second in the Republican presidential nomination for the 2016 election, expressed outrage in a tweet Monday morning.
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
“Really??!?” Cruz tweeted. “The NBA is telling everyone who represents the flag, who honors our police officers and our veterans, to ‘piss off’? In Texas, no less? Good luck with that.”
Cuban replied: “Take some balls for once @tedcruz. Talk to me. It’s my tweet.”
Cuban recently expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement and made it clear that he would have no problem if Mavericks players choose to protest by kneeling down during the national anthem.
“If they knelt down and were respectful, I would be proud of them. I hope I can join them,” Cuban said during a June 18 appearance on ESPN’s Outside the Lines.
NBA rules state that players and coaches must represent the national anthem, but Cuban said he hopes the league can adapt and “allow players to do what they want.”
“Whether he’s raising his arm in the air, whether he’s kneeling, whatever it is, I don’t think it’s a matter of respect or disrespect for the flag or the anthem or our country,” Cuban said. “I think this is more a reflection of our players’ commitment to this country and the fact that it is so important to them that they are willing to say what is in their hearts and do what they think is right.”
“I will defer to [commissioner] Adam [Silver] in any final judgment and [players’ union executive director] Michele Roberts. But the reality is, I hope we let players do exactly what they think is right. “
In 2017, Cuban expressed a different opinion after Trump criticized NFL players who were kneeling during the anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality.
“This is the United States, and I am proud of the people who speak civilly. That is what we are as a country,” Cuban said at the time. “I will be standing there with my hand over my heart. I think the players will be [standing]. I hope they are. “
Three years later, as the Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow after George Floyd’s death while in police custody in Minneapolis, Cuban explained what changed his mindset.
“Because I think we have learned a lot since 2017,” he told OTL. “I think we have evolved as a country. And this is truly a unique time when we can grow as a society, we can grow as a country and be much more inclusive and much more aware of the challenges minority communities face in going through.
“So I will be in unison with our players, whatever they choose to do. But again, when our NBA players do what is in their hearts, when they do what they feel they represent who they are and seek to move this country forward ” When it comes to race relationships, I think it is a beautiful thing and I will be proud of it. “
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