Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban at first had a one-word response to a conservative radio host who suggested he d have absolutely nothing to do with the group if any players took a knee during the national anthem.
” Bye,” Cuban tweeted.
That was barely the end of the matter. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) became involved and accused Cuban of “informing everyone who means the flag, who honors our police officers and our veterans, to piss off.” An angry exchange between the two guys followed, with the political leader and the billionaire touching on such subjects as the COVID-19 pandemic and the NBAs relationship with China.
Davis went on to tag Cuban, recommending the team owner must blaze a trail for gamers “to do whatever gesture they want without insulting the country.”
After his initial three-letter reaction, Cuban broadened on his ideas in another tweet.
Actually??!?
NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our police officers and our veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less?
All the best with that. pic.twitter.com/AVWLMZIqu0— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
I am so ready to be in on this years #Mavericks home stretch: so much promise, so much character. The minute one player kneels throughout the anthem, I am OUT.
” The National Anthem Police in this country run out control” Cuban composed. “If you wish to complain, complain to your employer and ask why they do not play the National Anthem every day prior to you begin work.”
Cruz soon delved into the fray.
Mark Davis, whose radio show is broadcast on 660-AM in the Dallas-Fort Worth location, sent out the tweet that began it all Sunday night.
” I am so ready to be in on this years #Mavericks house stretch: so much guarantee, a lot personality,” he wrote. “But the minute one player kneels during the anthem, I am OUT.”
The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you desire to grumble, grumble to your boss and ask why they dont play the National Anthem every day prior to you begin work. https://t.co/NUwv7asO44— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Cuban responded Monday morning. Heres some of the back-and-forth that followed:
The minute one gamer kneels throughout the anthem, I am OUT. The National Anthem Police in this nation are out of control. If you want to grumble, complain to your employer and ask why they dont play the National Anthem every day before you begin work. I can state there is a Pandemic that you have done little to end. I can state I care about this nation first and last and.
I concur Black Lives Matter.
I concur there is a pandemic & & we have taken extraordinary steps to defeat it.
Where did that pandemic originate?
Why did Communist China COVER UP the Wuhan outbreak & & arrest whistle-blowers?
And why are you terrified to state ONE WORD about China? https://t.co/Tfj2tZnmCP— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Yes, Mark, my interaction tweeting out my reaction to the world was indicated in some way to keep it a secret. Because youre really scary.
Im a Rockets fan, however more than delighted to cheer on the Mavericks (great group this year). Its unfortunate to see you telling so numerous Texans to “piss off.” https://t.co/s68JYk9MLR— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Still no answer from @mcuban
Lets try simpler. Mark, goon, can you state “Free Hong Kong”?
Can your players put that on their jerseys?
Can you condemn the CCPs concentration camps w/ 1 million Uyghurs?
Can you state ANYTHING other than “Chairman Mao is lovely & & smart”? https://t.co/0XpLRaFSw2— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
In 2017, Cuban stated that he anticipated his players to stand for the anthem. Following the death of George Floyd this spring, Cuban stated he would have no problem with any member of the Mavericks taking a knee during the tune, as long as they were considerate while doing so.
” I d be proud of them,” Cuban told ESPN in June. “Hopefully I d join them.”
I can state there is a Pandemic that you have actually done little to end. I can say I care about this nation last and first and.
Why is it, @tedcruz, that you take such pride in standing up to and speaking fact to the Chinese, but you have no capability to stand up to and speak the reality to @realdonaldtrump?– Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
