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Politics : Piffer Thread on Political Rantings and Ravings -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Augustus Gloop who wrote (11412)	8/5/2003 7:29:42 PM
From: Original Mad Dog	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14610

File this one under "things you aren't supposed to say on TV": story.news.yahoo.com Mavs boss: NBA gains from attention paid to Bryant Tue Aug 5, 8:01 AM ET Add Sports - USA TODAY to My Yahoo! By Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY Dallas Mavericks (news) owner Mark Cuban said in a nationally syndicated TV show Monday night that the felony sexual assault charges against Kobe Bryant, "from a business perspective (are) great for the NBA." Cuban, who has been fined more than $1 million by NBA Commissioner David Stern for criticisms of league referees, was asked by Access Hollywood's Pat O'Brien about the charges filed in Colorado against Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers (news) All-Star guard accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman. "From a business perspective, it's great for the NBA. It's reality television, people love train wreck television and you hate to admit it, but that is the truth, that's the reality today," Cuban said. Dean Bonham, a Denver-based sports business consultant and ex-president of the NBA's Denver Nuggets (news), disagreed with Cuban. "Nothing could be farther from reality than the idea that this is great for the NBA's business," he said. "The American sports fan base is sick and tired of athlete misbehavior. "We're starting to see indications of that in TV ratings and ticket and merchandise sale. "If Kobe Bryant is innocent, there's marginal damage to the NBA. If he's guilty, it could be significant damage." NBA officials declined comment. Asked by USA TODAY to expand on his "It's great for the NBA" remark, Cuban said, "Notoriety sells in this day and age. ... I can't think of anyone who is going through a legal problem who doesn't get high attention. "Is that cold-blooded? Yeah. But it is bottom-line reality." The Dallas owner added that "I don't want to compare Kobe with O.J. (Simpson) because Kobe's case hasn't been decided, but the reality is there is more interest in him (Kobe) now." Cuban added that the intrigue factor will make TNT's Oct. 28 Mavericks at Lakers season opener "must see TV." "Take away the personal aspect and the reality is that there will be more people watching our game against the Lakers," he said. "Who do you know won't watch the Lakers game with Kobe?"