Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, challenged Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to talk about China during a heated Twitter dispute on Monday.
The fight started when Cuban responded to a tweet from radio host Mark Davis stating he was excited for the NBA to get back into action, but would be “OUT” by the time a player kneels down during the national anthem.
“Goodbye,” Cuban replied to the tweet, but Cruz noticed and did not appreciate the sarcastic response that seemed to imply that the Mavericks don’t care if the players protest during the national anthem by kneeling.
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Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban dared to reveal his thoughts on China during a Twitter dispute with Ted Cruz.
“Really?!? The NBA is telling everyone who represents the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to” piss off “? In Texas, no less? Good luck with that,” Cruz wrote. .
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The Mavericks owner replied: “Have a few balls for once @tedcruz. It’s my tweet. “
Cruz then evoked the ongoing controversy over the NBA’s relationship with China. The league was attacked last year after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted pro Hong Kong rhetoric just before the Chinese league series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
“Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China,” Cruz wrote. “I will wait.”
Earlier this month, Sen. Josh Hawley, Republican of Mo., sent out a press release detailing a letter he planned to send to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver criticizing the league’s decision to limit messages that players they can wear “pre-approved, social slogans of justice” on their uniforms while “censoring support” for law enforcement and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party.
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China began cracking down on the NBA almost immediately after last year. Morey expressed support for Hong Kong as Chinese sportswear brands suspended or cut ties with the Rockets. The Communist government also blocked broadcasts of the league’s preseason games in the country and canceled NBA Cares events and media availability ahead of exhibition games between the Lakers and the Nets.
Since then, many NBA stars, coaches, and executives have been criticized for taking a stand on Black Lives Matter and the problems against Trump, while refusing to speak on issues related to the Chinese Communist Party.
Hawley’s letter asked the NBA commissioner to answer five questions: whether the NBA will censor pro-military or police statements; if it is true that the phrases approved for display on T-shirts do not include messages of support for the victims of the Chinese Communist Party; whether the NBA will censor any message that shows support for the victims of the Chinese Community Party; how the league plans to defend players who speak out against China; And if the league will condemn China for trying to silence the players.
Cruz also teased Cuban for insinuating that the senator was trying to keep his tweet secret by not directly tagging the Mavericks owner.
“Yes Mark, my communication tweeting my response to the world was intended to keep it a secret. Because you are very afraid, “wrote Cruz.
Cruz sent a follow-up tweet noting that Cuban had not responded.
“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?’ Cruz asked.
Cuban finally responded to Cruz’s demands to speak about China, saying that he does not get involved in the internal policies of other countries. He also provided a link to a 2019 YouTube video as proof that he would speak out against China if necessary and taunted Cruz for his relationship with President Trump.
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Meanwhile, Hawley also criticized the NBA for removing custom gear from his online store after the league’s backlash last week for blocking the “Free Hong Kong” print on his clothing.
Fox Gay’s Ryan Gaydos and Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.
