Mark Cuban Defends Adam Silver After Controversial Comments on NBA Game Costs
NEW YORK, NY - Mark Cuban, former controlling owner of the Dallas Mavericks, publicly both criticized and defended NBA commissioner Adam Silver following Silver’s widely panned response to concerns about the rising cost of watching NBA games. Silver suggested that a meaningful amount of NBA content is available for free thru highlights and social media, a statement that drew immediate backlash from fans.
Cuban acknowledged Silver “whiffed” on the comment but insisted via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the commissioner is actively advocating for fans internally, even when facing opposition from other team owners. “Adam definitely whiffed on this one,” Cuban wrote.”But I can tell you that unless a lot has changed in the last 20 months, he is one of the people standing up for fans in a room where a lot of owners are not.”
The controversy stems from the NBA’s new media rights deals, which will distribute games across platforms like Peacock and Prime Video, adding to the financial burden for fans already facing increasing subscription costs. Many viewers feel a standard cable package, previously sufficient for nationally broadcast games, is no longer enough. When questioned about this during a recent press conference, Silver’s focus on free highlights was perceived as dismissive.
Cuban,who sold majority ownership of the Mavericks in 2023 after over two decades at the helm,has a long working relationship with Silver,having collaborated with him since Silver became commissioner in 2014. His defense offers a unique outlook on the internal dynamics surrounding the league’s media strategy and fan accessibility. The situation highlights the growing tension between the NBA’s desire to maximize revenue and the affordability of accessing the sport for its fanbase.
