Early this year the NBA came to me and asked if I would be interested in doing my own talk show on Sirius Radio. The NBA was in negotiations with Sirius at the time, and according to this NBA employee, Sirius would only do a deal with the NBA if I would do a show.
Doing a radio show is something I had been asked to do in the past, but it really wasnt something I had an interest in doing. I had zero interest in having a show of any kind. However, in the interest of helping the NBA close a multi million dollar deal, I told this person I would be happy to meet with Sirius. Thats what good partners do
I flew up to NY and met with Scott Greenstein of Sirius, who couldnt have been nicer, more encouraging , more complimentary and more excited about my doing a radio show. He actually got me excited about it. They would set up an ISDN link and board in my office so I could work from home. They would give me a producer so that in addition to the show time, my preperation time would only be a few more hours per week. We decided that I would do a show that would be every Sunday at noon for 3 hours. Not just during basketball season, but 46 weeks per year. My pay... nada. I could potentially earn a percentage of advertising revenue that I generated, but I wasnt planning on going out to sell ads.
I told them it sounded like fun, but I would ONLY do it if they closed a deal with the NBA. Scott made it clear that they wanted me to do the show whether or not the NBA deal closed. I made it clear that the only reason I would make this committment in time is to help the NBA and only with an NBA - Sirius deal could the show happen.
I had committed to give up my Sundays. Reschedule the Sunday half of my Daddy - Daughter lunchs at the infamous Blue Cow Restaurant eating chicking nuggets and hot fudge sundaes. Do the preperation time to make the show good. For Free. To be a good NBA partner.
Whenever Ive been able to help my NBA partners, I've always tried to. I have gone on sales calls with the NBA to try to close business. In one case where things didnt go so well with the Commissioner, I was brought in as an alternative. I have given talks , speechs and Q&A sessions with more than half the teams in the NBA. Whenever there is a Speakers Series held by a team , it seems like I am asked to speak. Teams refer me to other teams as being one of , if not the biggest draw they have had. In addition, if i get asked to speak by any group in an NBA city, I wont do it unless its before or after a game, and all the participants are required to buy a ticket to the game. Thats what good partners do.
Unfortunately my partners in the NBA didnt see the value I thought I brought to the league. Hey it happens. Im not the first business person who's self evaluation of contribution to a business was wrong and I wont be the last. I have nothing but respect for my fellow NBA owners .. That said, I don't feel the obligation to do what I thought was of value if others dont.
So, having made a short story long. To those of you who emailed, asking when RadioMaverick will start on Sirius, it won't. For those of you who emailed asking if I will be speaking at your team's functions again this year. I doubt it.
Will I still be cheering on the Mavs. Absolutely. Will I be in the same seats, cheering the same way. Absolutely. Not having to do the show is great news. Not doing the show and events is easy. Explaining to my daughter why we arent going to Purple Cow as she is trying to pull me out of my office every Sunday, now that would be hard.
My RadioMaverick Show on Sirius and the NBA.
Reader Comments
(Page 2)23. Good catch Eric! (comment #15)I was wondering why he felt unappreciated and the blog explained it.
Posted at 3:59PM on Oct 30th 2006 by Henry
24. Sounded like a great idea, Mark... promote the NBA for free what a novel concept, just as I believe that I'm promoting the Breeders' Cup for free http://www.calsports1.com really a Sunday show on Sirius would have been a blast! You could have joined Howard Stern as the top dog on Sirius! Maybe the NBA gurus will get wise and it will still happen! I was able to get an interview with Trevor Denman for my webby so anything is possible..Saul
http://www.calsports1.com
25. For those wondering what this stemmed from, ESPN.com has a story about a decision from the Board of Governors regarding regulating the behavior of owners. Like an earlier commenter, I was confused as to where this all came from but now it makes sense.
Posted at 7:58PM on Oct 30th 2006 by Kevin Mendonca
26. Thankfully, no one will have to hear your megalomaniacial rantings on the radio. Your whiny, wannabe-victim mentality is one of the most annoying things about the league and prevents me from being able to enjoy the play of the guys on the team you own. I want to see them fail because a weenie like yourself having part in a championship team would just not be right. I appreciate and congratulate you for the success you've had outside of basketball, but your blowhard opinions on the game you know nothing about are embarrassing to the true connoisseurs. You've been lucky to be able to buy your way in, now take Dirk's advice and shut up. And pay Nelson what your organization owes him.
Posted at 9:29PM on Oct 30th 2006 by Cold Money
27. Mark - If I took a drink for every time you tooted your own horn about what a great partner you are for the NBA in this post I'd be too drunk to respond. I've found insight in some of your past posts, but entries like this make you sound more like just another guy what was in the right place at the right time and suckered some people with too much money. Doing a show like this for the NBA would have been your dream years ago and you make it sound like some kind of chore.
Reminds me of a quote from Barry Switzer: "Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple."
Posted at 7:30AM on Oct 31st 2006 by Joe
28. Mark,
As a small businessman, I've read your blog for sometime and vastly enjoy your perspective. When I read the NBA owners had turned on you, I was shocked they would be willing to take such a public relations bath. How small minded and petty they appear to me, Average Joe NBA Fan. Their gestapo tactics are as asinine as they are ill-timed. While I wouldn't have listened to the show (don't have Sirius or XM), I totally respect your stand and say keep swinging.
Darin M. Wood, Ph.D.
Posted at 1:54PM on Oct 31st 2006 by Darin Wood
29. Mark, I was considering switching from XM to Sirius just to listen to your show. Bummer. But I agree with you on this. If the NBA is going to be petty then stop wasting your time.
Posted at 7:47PM on Oct 31st 2006 by Mike
30. Glad to hear you are not helping out the NBA. Why should you? They constantly fine and criticize you for being you. We in Dallas love you! You have been wonderful in pulling a team out of the gutter and making us into a world caliber team! Way to go! No matter what Commisioner Stern and the other owners say, you are the best owner in the league. You are always with your team, rooting and supporting, you are good to the players and coaches as well as the fans! The league may not appreciate you, Mr. Cuban, but the city of Dallas and every MFFL does. Owners should take note of your actions and follow you accordingly. You should be an example to all of them. Keep doing what you are doing and p&ssing off the league every chance you get! We love ya!
Amy
Posted at 10:58PM on Oct 31st 2006 by Amy
31. Hey Mark,
Just read on si.com how you "saw the light" and will be learning from D. Stern. I hope that was sarcasm. Don't let those guys stifle you. You are half the reason I'm interested in the Mavs. It's great to see an owner appreciate and get geniune enjoyment from his team...rather than just see it as a money making machine. Don't let "the man" get you down!
Posted at 8:47AM on Nov 3rd 2006 by Jay Pearmon
32. Nigel, just out of curiosity, who are you referring to as fragile? Which player? I have an idea but I am not sure. I am really curious. And also, thank you for mentioning the movie "The Secret".
Mark, this is a great movie. You have most likely seen it. I wonder how you practice the "Secret" in your life. That would be an awsome book topic for you. Just a thought.
Posted at 11:58AM on Nov 3rd 2006 by Erica
33. Here's another article on the reasoning why no show:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-cuban110306&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Posted at 1:15PM on Nov 3rd 2006 by Joe
34. The NBA is lucky to have you doing the things you do to make the Mavs and the League better. Improving the Mavs as you have has made the Leauge a better league. And doing the Sirius show (for no money) is a great move for you, your team, and the league. But moreover, it shows you get it. You get that it would be a huge positive for everyone.
36. Mark, good for you! It's Sirius' loss, big time!
Posted at 6:42PM on Nov 10th 2006 by Terry Collins
37. dear MARK,
how difficult would it have been for you to
do the show un "live"
reading from war and peace...
or just ranting to friends etc on taped telephone calls
Radio doesn't require you to be there...never did, never does
the ISDN link and board could have been "manned" by a friend
and you could have called in via cellphone
anything to promote the "Cuban Brand"
Posted at 12:08PM on Dec 11th 2006 by A
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21. During last year's finals, I struggled with whom to root for. Being from Boston, I am a huge Antoine Walker fan, and also I dislike Kobe with a passion, so seeing Shaq win without him would have been equally pleasing. But I also wanted to see David Stern hand you the trophy. It would have been great entertainment, and that's why we watch. Stern seems to think you're bad for the game. He shows this by fining you practively every other day. But in reality, you're passion and out-spoken pressence is refreshing. Maybe the NBA (Stern) doesn't appreciate you, but at least the fans do, (even one's from Boston).
Posted at 12:58PM on Oct 30th 2006 by Jason M