CelticsStrong
Around the League => Around the NBA => Topic started by: nickagneta on February 21, 2018, 10:30:35 PM
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https://www.si.com/nba/2018/02/20/dallas-mavericks-sexual-misconduct-investigation-mark-cuban-response
Long read. Some pretty disgusting and disturbing stuff. Hoping this is an isolated incident and not something that happens in professional athletic workplaces.
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It will be interesting to see the NBA's response.
Definitely not isolated enough nor restricted to athletics workplaces. Jerry Richardson, Carolina Panthers owner, is being forced to sell the team for similar behavior.
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Yeah, the NBA response should be interesting. I wonder if they aren't doing a sweeping quick check on all franchises to see if anything similar has happened anywhere else before responding.
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I've always liked Cuban, but find it unlikely that he wasn't aware. This take
unfortunately seems super plausible:
One of the women alleging harassment has another theory: Cuban turned a blind eye as long as revenue came in. Which it did. By all accounts, under Ussery the Mavericks’ finances improved dramatically. He was instrumental in securing $240 million in public funding for the American Airlines Center, which opened in 2001. Ussery also has been credited with bringing the 2010 NBA All-Star Game to Dallas, where it was played out before 108,713 fans at AT&T Stadium. In a glowing 2011 profile in Dallas Magazine, Ussery was referred to as: “Right-hand man to Mark Cuban. Friend to NBA Commissioner David Stern. And one of the most powerful African-American executives in a league dominated by black players.”
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
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The NBA reaction will be interesting. The league has under Adam Silver tried to portray itself as this socially progressive entity. While it gets paid lip service, not everyone drawing a paycheck from the league may be on board with that.
In the case of Cuban - he's been one of their best owners when it comes to marketing the product and showing other owners how you operate a team. He's also one of their best known owners and a guy who a lot of people admire. This puts the NBA in a tough spot.
It also involves a guy, Cuban, who's very smart and very likely to put up a fight if they try to penalize him in a manner that he thinks is unfair to him.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
I think Cuban has said he knew, at least about some incidents, and that his rationalization was "if we fire him he'll just do it somewhere else, keep him here and we can control him". Which is insane.
There are rumblings that this could develop into a Donald Sterling situation if it becomes a big enough story. Cuban deserves scorn regardless for continuing to empower people like this.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
I think Cuban has said he knew, at least about some incidents, and that his rationalization was "if we fire him he'll just do it somewhere else, keep him here and we can control him". Which is insane.
There are rumblings that this could develop into a Donald Sterling situation if it becomes a big enough story. Cuban deserves scorn regardless for continuing to empower people like this.
I think that was the writer, not the executive.
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Absolutely ridiculous. Complete lack of respect and basic human rights for his workers. His excuses were awful as well (I kept him in house here so he wouldn't do it somewhere else). He had an employee who couldn't even be one on one with women and he thought that was okay and then his GM gets fired from his next job after a month because Under Armor isn't as sick and twisted of a place.
Mark Cuban is disgusting. I am not shocked in the least based off the man being out their for years.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
I think Cuban has said he knew, at least about some incidents, and that his rationalization was "if we fire him he'll just do it somewhere else, keep him here and we can control him". Which is insane.
There are rumblings that this could develop into a Donald Sterling situation if it becomes a big enough story. Cuban deserves scorn regardless for continuing to empower people like this.
People are giving Cuban way way too much rope on this. The man is totally involved in the team. This went to HR before and we know that. We know of at least one very formal report in 98 as well as reported others from the victims. Employees are walking around with black eyes from getting hit from that writer at work. He knows. He knew. He is scum and doesn't care about women or anyone who is under him. Maybe if they had enough money they would matter.
When the employee in question leaves and is fired in a month somewhere else for the same behavior that says it all about how he was covered up for in the Mavs organization.
Cuban needs to go. We know why he was against Sterling going now. He knew what was going on or cared so little about women or well being of his employees that he didn't bother and both are entirely unacceptable and tell you how awful he is.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
Cuban needs to go. We know why he was against Sterling going now. He knew what was going on or cared so little about women or well being of his employees that he didn't bother and both are entirely unacceptable and tell you how awful he is.
Nothing like convicting a guy without a complete investigation by the league - which is likely to take place. It is conceivable Cuban may not have known much of what's reported in the article. He's got a lot of business interests - I think through Shark Tank alone he's investing and consulting in something like 100 different companies. And in many companies low level employees have very little interaction with the CEO and if this was Cuban's 'guy' - and it sounds like that was the case - you would probably rightfully fear for your job if you spoke up. Office politics are a very real thing.
And successful business are often meritocracy's - like sports teams. The guys who produce have clout with the boss and it sounds like Ussery was good at helping the Mavericks generate lots of revenue.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
Cuban needs to go. We know why he was against Sterling going now. He knew what was going on or cared so little about women or well being of his employees that he didn't bother and both are entirely unacceptable and tell you how awful he is.
Nothing like convicting a guy without a complete investigation by the league - which is likely to take place. It is conceivable Cuban may not have known much of what's reported in the article. He's got a lot of business interests - I think through Shark Tank alone he's investing and consulting in something like 100 different companies. And in many companies low level employees have very little interaction with the CEO and if this was Cuban's 'guy' - and it sounds like that was the case - you would probably rightfully fear for your job if you spoke up. Office politics are a very real thing.
And successful business are often meritocracy's - like sports teams. The guys who produce have clout with the boss and it sounds like Ussery was good at helping the Mavericks generate lots of revenue.
Cuban knew and it will come out. The NBA will come down hard on him. I wonder what the wife has to say about it all.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
I think Cuban has said he knew, at least about some incidents, and that his rationalization was "if we fire him he'll just do it somewhere else, keep him here and we can control him". Which is insane.
There are rumblings that this could develop into a Donald Sterling situation if it becomes a big enough story. Cuban deserves scorn regardless for continuing to empower people like this.
I think that was the writer, not the executive.
Yeah I think you're right - I had seen his responses to the story but hadn't actually realized it was several people doing this til I got deeper into it.
BTW it doesn't really matter but there's a quoting hiccup and kuberski's replying to snakehead, not me. I don't fully agree with what's in that quote.
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I'd find it hard to believe Cuban didn't know. Maybe not the severity and proclivity, but it's unlikely this is news to him. Wonder what the league will do, because this is......not good.
Sure he knew . This guy is a controll freak . 100% .....he makes it his business .
Cuban , is ultimately responsible for the actions of his staff at work, like Paterno , he ll sink with the ship if things get out of hand
He be best to fire everybody remotely guilty and hope he survives.
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/27/mark-cuban-dallas-mavericks-nba (https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/27/mark-cuban-dallas-mavericks-nba)
Interesting take on Cuban. I hope the truth comes out.
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This guy sounds so much like the vast majority of abusers I’ve met. 4 years of counseling, and he still blames his victims, while playing lip service to accountability.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/fired-mavs-com-writer-team-put-back-work-immediately-domestic-violence-arrest-214654941.html
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https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2018/02/28/nba-must-come-hard-mark-cuban-league-can-really-hammer-mavs-outspoken-owner (https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-mavericks/mavericks/2018/02/28/nba-must-come-hard-mark-cuban-league-can-really-hammer-mavs-outspoken-owner)
Here is how I feel. Mark Cuban derserves all that is coming.
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Apparently Mark Cuban was accused of sexual assault in 2011, but no charges were filed after a police investigation.
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-mark-cuban-investigated-alleged-sexual-assault-2011-charges-never-filed-054514266.html
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-mavericks-employee-rips-mark-cubans-response-sexual-harassment-claims-164753777.html (https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-mavericks-employee-rips-mark-cubans-response-sexual-harassment-claims-164753777.html)
Getting hot in all the right places. Mr. Smug is going down.
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-mavericks-employee-rips-mark-cubans-response-sexual-harassment-claims-164753777.html (https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-mavericks-employee-rips-mark-cubans-response-sexual-harassment-claims-164753777.html)
Getting hot in all the right places. Mr. Smug is going down.
Hard to say, as of now there is no actual evidence Cuban is guilty of, or aware of, anything [dang]ing.
This isn't like the Sterling situation where they literally had the man on tape saying racist things. My guess is it will take that sort of evidence against Cuban to take him down.
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Maybe it's been mentioned in one of the several posted articles already, but one thing I find interesting with everything that's going on is Mark Cuban's comments back when the league was ousting Donald Sterling.
He was against ousting Sterling, said it was a slippery slope. Maybe, just maybe, it was because Cuban had some skeletons of his own in the closet.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10854381/mark-cuban-dallas-mavericks-rails-donald-sterling-not-favor-kicking-owner
However, Cuban was the only one to express concern about the precedent that could be set by forcing Sterling to leave the league.
"I think there's a [league] constitution for a reason, right?" Cuban said before Game 4 of the Mavericks-San Antonio Spurs series. "Because this is a very slippery slope. What Donald said was wrong. It was abhorrent. There's no place for racism in the NBA, any business I'm associated with, and I don't want to be associated with people who have that position.
"But at the same time, that's a decision I make. I think you've got to be very, very careful when you start making blanket statements about what people say and think, as opposed to what they do. It's a very, very slippery slope.
Cuban said he would support any decision the commissioner made in regard to disciplining Sterling, but Cuban thinks the league constitution will limit that to a fine and suspension.
Cuban was concerned about an arbitrary line being set for forcing people out of the league because of controversial beliefs that could be considered offensive.
"In this country, people are allowed to be morons," Cuban said. "They're allowed to be stupid. They're allowed to think idiotic thoughts.
"Within an organization like the NBA, we try to do what's in the best interest of the league, and that's why we have a commissioner and a constitution, and I think Adam will be smart and deal with Donald with the full extent available. But, again, if you're saying a blanket, 'Let's kick him out' -- I don't want to go that far because it's not about Donald, it's not about his position, it's about his mess -- and what are we going to make a decision on?
Cuban added that it was "[dang] scary" to ponder the thought of attempting to remove somebody from the NBA because of his personal beliefs.
"In no uncertain terms am I supporting what Donald Sterling said, or his position," Cuban said. "He's obviously racist, he's obviously bigoted. And in this day and age when you're in the public eye, you've got to be [dang] careful -- if that's your position, and that's unfortunately where you're at, you better be [dang] careful what you say, even in the privacy of your own home.
"But regardless of your background, regardless of the history they have, if we're taking something somebody said in their home and we're trying to turn it into something that leads to you being forced to divest property in any way, shape or form, that's not the United States of America. I don't want to be part of that."
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Maybe it's been mentioned in one of the several posted articles already, but one thing I find interesting with everything that's going on is Mark Cuban's comments back when the league was ousting Donald Sterling.
He was against ousting Sterling, said it was a slippery slope. Maybe, just maybe, it was because Cuban had some skeletons of his own in the closet.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/10854381/mark-cuban-dallas-mavericks-rails-donald-sterling-not-favor-kicking-owner
However, Cuban was the only one to express concern about the precedent that could be set by forcing Sterling to leave the league.
"I think there's a [league] constitution for a reason, right?" Cuban said before Game 4 of the Mavericks-San Antonio Spurs series. "Because this is a very slippery slope. What Donald said was wrong. It was abhorrent. There's no place for racism in the NBA, any business I'm associated with, and I don't want to be associated with people who have that position.
"But at the same time, that's a decision I make. I think you've got to be very, very careful when you start making blanket statements about what people say and think, as opposed to what they do. It's a very, very slippery slope.
Cuban said he would support any decision the commissioner made in regard to disciplining Sterling, but Cuban thinks the league constitution will limit that to a fine and suspension.
Cuban was concerned about an arbitrary line being set for forcing people out of the league because of controversial beliefs that could be considered offensive.
"In this country, people are allowed to be morons," Cuban said. "They're allowed to be stupid. They're allowed to think idiotic thoughts.
"Within an organization like the NBA, we try to do what's in the best interest of the league, and that's why we have a commissioner and a constitution, and I think Adam will be smart and deal with Donald with the full extent available. But, again, if you're saying a blanket, 'Let's kick him out' -- I don't want to go that far because it's not about Donald, it's not about his position, it's about his mess -- and what are we going to make a decision on?
Cuban added that it was "[dang] scary" to ponder the thought of attempting to remove somebody from the NBA because of his personal beliefs.
"In no uncertain terms am I supporting what Donald Sterling said, or his position," Cuban said. "He's obviously racist, he's obviously bigoted. And in this day and age when you're in the public eye, you've got to be [dang] careful -- if that's your position, and that's unfortunately where you're at, you better be [dang] careful what you say, even in the privacy of your own home.
"But regardless of your background, regardless of the history they have, if we're taking something somebody said in their home and we're trying to turn it into something that leads to you being forced to divest property in any way, shape or form, that's not the United States of America. I don't want to be part of that."
What he says there actually does make a lot of sense though. Also, if the story out of Portland is an accurate one, you would have to imagine he has done this multiple times and other stories will come out and he will be gone. It's never seemed like the case where someone just does that behavior one time randomly and never does anything else bad.
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https://www.si.com/nba/2018/03/20/dallas-mavericks-melissa-weishaupt-sexual-harassment-culture-mark-cuban?utm_campaign=sinow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_twitter_si (https://www.si.com/nba/2018/03/20/dallas-mavericks-melissa-weishaupt-sexual-harassment-culture-mark-cuban?utm_campaign=sinow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_twitter_si)
Very interesting read on the subject. More to come I am sure.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2018/03/29/mark-cuban-mavericks-racial-discrimination-petition/471919002/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2018/03/29/mark-cuban-mavericks-racial-discrimination-petition/471919002/)
Looks like Mavs have another problem going on too. Cuban can't run a NBA team but he sure thinks he could make a great president.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2018/03/29/mark-cuban-mavericks-racial-discrimination-petition/471919002/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2018/03/29/mark-cuban-mavericks-racial-discrimination-petition/471919002/)
Looks like Mavs have another problem going on too. Cuban can't run a NBA team but he sure thinks he could make a great president.
Don't know what to make of this one. Seems a lot lighter on the details than the other articles/accusations.
An employee found a noose in a closet? Was it on display, was it meant to be seen, was it lying on a shelf, was it actually a "noose" or just a rope or maybe a lasso (this is cow town afterall)? It could have had racist intent or it could have been like the lady who saw a swastika in wrapping paper (https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Walgreens-Pulling-Swastika-Wrapping-Paper-Off-Store-Shelves-After-SoCal-Womans-Complaint-285037711.html), seeing something that's not really there.
Sounds like the lady whose trying to bring the suit didn't actually even see the noose, because it was in a closet and Mark Cuban threw it in the trash, which to me sounds like a good thing to do, at least without any more context.
Newsome was hired in 2004 as a premium sales executive. She went on to become a suite sales executive and said she generated $50 million in sales during her 13 years with the company.
Newsome said she complained throughout her time with the management company about racial discrimination, pay inequity, harassment, and bullying and taunting from her co-workers. She was fired in March 2017 in what she said was retaliation for a 2015 complaint she made to human resources.
There's so much that could be going on here. Another article states she was fired for not meeting sales quota (http://www.fox4news.com/news/ex-aac-employee-claims-race-age-gender-discrimination-led-to-firing), which is pretty standard in the sales world, especially in leaner years like the Mavs are probably experiencing now. So she could be the type of person that blames her failures on anybody but themselves, or she could have some legit gripes. Need more details/context.
So not sure if this is the tip of the iceberg of some serious problems, or just a bitter ex-employee.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2018/03/29/mark-cuban-mavericks-racial-discrimination-petition/471919002/ (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/mavericks/2018/03/29/mark-cuban-mavericks-racial-discrimination-petition/471919002/)
Looks like Mavs have another problem going on too. Cuban can't run a NBA team but he sure thinks he could make a great president.
Don't know what to make of this one. Seems a lot lighter on the details than the other articles/accusations.
An employee found a noose in a closet? Was it on display, was it meant to be seen, was it lying on a shelf, was it actually a "noose" or just a rope or maybe a lasso (this is cow town afterall)? It could have had racist intent or it could have been like the lady who saw a swastika in wrapping paper (https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Walgreens-Pulling-Swastika-Wrapping-Paper-Off-Store-Shelves-After-SoCal-Womans-Complaint-285037711.html), seeing something that's not really there.
Sounds like the lady whose trying to bring the suit didn't actually even see the noose, because it was in a closet and Mark Cuban threw it in the trash, which to me sounds like a good thing to do, at least without any more context.
Newsome was hired in 2004 as a premium sales executive. She went on to become a suite sales executive and said she generated $50 million in sales during her 13 years with the company.
Newsome said she complained throughout her time with the management company about racial discrimination, pay inequity, harassment, and bullying and taunting from her co-workers. She was fired in March 2017 in what she said was retaliation for a 2015 complaint she made to human resources.
There's so much that could be going on here. Another article states she was fired for not meeting sales quota (http://www.fox4news.com/news/ex-aac-employee-claims-race-age-gender-discrimination-led-to-firing), which is pretty standard in the sales world, especially in leaner years like the Mavs are probably experiencing now. So she could be the type of person that blames her failures on anybody but themselves, or she could have some legit gripes. Need more details/context.
So not sure if this is the tip of the iceberg of some serious problems, or just a bitter ex-employee.
It may be nothing, But Cuban sure is seeing what it would be like as President. You will get it for sure.
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So after 7 months, here's the penalty for the Mavs, per Woj:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042479747744321538
Sources: After NBA investigation into workplace misconduct, Dallas owner Mark Cuban and the NBA have agreed that he'll donate $10M to organizations that promote women in leadership roles and combat domestic violence. NBA can only fine $2.5M by rules.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042480374616653824
There are also NBA-mandated sanctions on Dallas that will require that the franchise make changes on reporting, staffing and policy to improve the workplace culture, league sources said. Donald Sterling had received that $2.5M fine as Clippers owner.
And Woj on some of the details:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042481192145170439
According to the NBA's report, Mavericks were found to have "Serious workplace misconduct by former and current employees," and "improper or ineffective management."
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042481605745553408
The NBA's report says that claims were substantiated by 15 current and former employees regarding inappropriate comments and touching by former Dallas Mavericks President and CEO Terdema Ussery.
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And some tidbits from the NBA Press Release:
http://pr.nba.com/nba-statement-about-independent-investigation-regarding-workplace-mavericks/
The investigators found no evidence that Mr. Cuban was aware of Mr. Ussery’s misconduct. None of the 215 witnesses who were interviewed stated that they informed Mr. Cuban of Mr. Ussery’s actions, the investigators found no documentary evidence of such a communication, and Mr. Cuban stated that he did not know about the conduct.
In recognition of the institutional and other failures set forth in the report, Mr. Cuban has agreed to contribute $10 million to organizations that are committed to supporting the leadership and development of women in the sports industry and combating domestic violence. These organizations will be selected by an advisory council of leaders from the Mavericks, including Mr. Cuban and Ms. Marshall, and the NBA, including President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathy Behrens, President of Team Marketing & Business Operations and Chief Innovation Officer Amy Brooks, and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Oris Stuart.
Additionally, the NBA is requiring the Mavericks to:
*Provide the league office with quarterly reports regarding the recommendations set forth in the report and their implementation;
*Immediately report to the league office any instances or allegations of significant misconduct by any employee;
*Continually enhance and update annual “Respect in the Workplace” training for all staff, including ownership; and
*Implement a program to train all staff, including ownership, on issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment.
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I never had any respect for Cuban. Could not happen to a bigger hypocritical prick. I hope this is just the tip of the iceberg.
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So after 7 months, here's the penalty for the Mavs, per Woj:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042479747744321538
Sources: After NBA investigation into workplace misconduct, Dallas owner Mark Cuban and the NBA have agreed that he'll donate $10M to organizations that promote women in leadership roles and combat domestic violence. NBA can only fine $2.5M by rules.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042480374616653824
There are also NBA-mandated sanctions on Dallas that will require that the franchise make changes on reporting, staffing and policy to improve the workplace culture, league sources said. Donald Sterling had received that $2.5M fine as Clippers owner.
And Woj on some of the details:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042481192145170439
According to the NBA's report, Mavericks were found to have "Serious workplace misconduct by former and current employees," and "improper or ineffective management."
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042481605745553408
The NBA's report says that claims were substantiated by 15 current and former employees regarding inappropriate comments and touching by former Dallas Mavericks President and CEO Terdema Ussery.
Current employees. I hope they will be terminated.
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So after 7 months, here's the penalty for the Mavs, per Woj:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042479747744321538
Sources: After NBA investigation into workplace misconduct, Dallas owner Mark Cuban and the NBA have agreed that he'll donate $10M to organizations that promote women in leadership roles and combat domestic violence. NBA can only fine $2.5M by rules.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042480374616653824
There are also NBA-mandated sanctions on Dallas that will require that the franchise make changes on reporting, staffing and policy to improve the workplace culture, league sources said. Donald Sterling had received that $2.5M fine as Clippers owner.
And Woj on some of the details:
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042481192145170439
According to the NBA's report, Mavericks were found to have "Serious workplace misconduct by former and current employees," and "improper or ineffective management."
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1042481605745553408
The NBA's report says that claims were substantiated by 15 current and former employees regarding inappropriate comments and touching by former Dallas Mavericks President and CEO Terdema Ussery.
Current employees. I hope they will be terminated.
Yeah, if there were employees that either witnessed or were directly informed of such behavior and failed to do anything about it that is pretty terrible.