Mark Cuban had been quite dissatisfied during his 23 years of ownership of the Mavericks, which ultimately influenced his decision to sell his majority stake.
Cuban is not keen on top NBA players competing in the Olympics.
Now, he sees young athletes showcasing their talents at the FIFA World Cup, a prime event similar to how football is represented at the Olympics, engaging NBA commissioner Adam Silver in this discussion.
“We could rival the size of the Soccer World Cup. In football, it’s larger than the Olympics, so we could replicate that model,” Cuban shared his thoughts on Sirius XM. “But Adam [Silver], I’m not on board with that idea, and that’s why I sold my team.”
While Cuban’s approach to the sale seemed lighthearted, there’s a genuine idea behind it.
“Let our kids participate in the Olympics. Make it like soccer, where only those over 21 compete, and then establish an International World Cup of their own,” he suggested.
Cuban cited injury risks as a major concern influencing his viewpoint when it comes to athletes participating in the Olympics.
“I really disliked that,” Cuban mentioned on SiriusXM. “I voiced my concerns every year. My perspective is that those in the Olympics, like Comcast/NBC, are making billions, as is the IOC.”
He makes a valid point. NBA players come with hefty price tags. For instance, Suns player Devin Booker recently signed a two-year, $145 million contract extension. That breaks down to nearly $1 million per game if he plays all 82 games in a season, translating to a salary of about $72.5 million a year.
As an NBA owner, Cuban expressed his discomfort with seeing players with nine-figure contracts sidelined during the Olympics while they could be watching from the sidelines.
He advocates for better safeguards for players and owners to manage potential worst-case scenarios, especially concerning injuries that could occur outside the NBA.
