Former Dallas Mavericks Majority Owner Mark Cuban recently had a shocking Olympics take on SiriusXM NBA Radio. Cuban, 66, wants an Olympic ban for NBA veterans. Here is what Cuban said on air.
Mark Cuban’s Shocking Olympics Take
NBACentral posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday via SiriusXM NBA Radio. NBACentral’s post read, “Mark Cuban says he hates NBA players participating in the Olympics and believes it should be limited to players 21 years old and younger … “We’re giving all these guys for free and taking the injury risk.”
NBACentral’s post drew mixed reviews after Cuban reportedly gave Dallas Mavericks GM Nico Harrison a vote of confidence, according to the Dallas Morning News. One user wrote, “I hate businessman owning sports teams. They are treating players like assets. Stfu baby shark,” while another user responded, “He is correct from a business perspective.”
Mark Cuban’s Olympics Outlook
What is Mark Cuban’s Olympics outlook? Cuban wants an Olympic ban for NBA veterans so NBA rookies can take over. NBA veterans shouldn’t be risking their careers playing in the Olympics for free. Cuban said on SiriusXM NBA Radio, “What I would tell David Stern and then Adam, I’m like, you know how in soccer, for the Olympics it’s 21 and under, or 22, whatever it is, and then they own the World Cup and the World Cup’s a bigger event? I’m like, give them more young kids, right? Do the same thing as soccer. Let the 21-and-under play for the Olympics and then create our own International World Cup.”
Final Thoughts
Mark Cuban has a good point. Cuban’s point stems from international soccer’s Olympic model, which limits participation to under-23 players with only three overage exceptions per team. NBA veterans can suffer short-term and long-term effects, stemming from increased practices, exhibition games, and general wear and tear.
However, Cuban should know that NBA veterans — and NBA players in general — want to represent their respective countries in the Olympics. NBA veterans should be allowed the opportunity to represent their country for a sense of honor, along with pride.
