Mark Cuban Advocates for Embracing Tanking in the NBA

Mark Cuban believes that tanking, or deliberately losing games, can actually benefit the NBA.

In a lengthy post on his X page, the Mavericks’ minority owner argued that the league should “embrace” the idea of intentionally losing to improve team performance.

“Fans understand that their team can’t win every game,” he noted, later acknowledging a typo in his message. “They realize that only one team can win a championship. What fans want—those who invest emotionally in their team’s record—is hope. Hope for improvement, a shot at the playoffs, and perhaps even a championship.”

Cuban suggested that one way to cultivate that hope is through strategic approaches like the draft, trades, and salary cap management. “If you tank, you significantly increase your chances of enhancing your team through all three avenues,” he remarked.

Additionally, Cuban asserted that the league should focus on making games more affordable for fans, indicating that this issue is more pressing than tanking itself. “The NBA should prioritize the fan experience over tanking,” he stated. “Instead of worrying about teams losing on purpose, we should really concern ourselves with the families who can’t afford to take their kids to the game or buy jerseys for their favorite players.”

He emphasized, “It’s not simply about tanking; it’s about affordability and the overall quality of the game experience.”

Tanking has been a contentious issue for the league for many years, and according to Commissioner Adam Silver, this year has exhibited heightened challenges regarding the practice.

Silver has imposed significant fines on teams for not playing their star players and has expressed a commitment to finding ways to discourage such practices, even considering stripping teams of draft picks.

However, Cuban remains firm in his stance that Silver should direct his efforts elsewhere. “We didn’t tank frequently,” he explained. “Only on a few occasions over 23 years did the fans appreciate it. But those moments allowed us to enhance our roster, making trades to acquire Luka Doncic and overall improve the team.”

While Cuban presents a compelling argument, given Silver’s stern position on the matter recently, it seems unlikely that the NBA will change its approach in the near future.