David Stern is a Jackass

I remember before the NBA season started, that due to the contraction of the US Economy and the expected declines in ticket / concession / memorabilia / merchandise / advertising / any other kind of Sales, the NBA was going to lay off roughly 10% of its workforce. What Stern, nor the other gutless wonders that make up the board of governors failed to realize was that owners like Mark Cuban and players like Charlie Villanueva, “The Big Hairless” would adopt new technologies like Twitter and adapt them to their marketing/self-promotion and create a whole new source of revenue for the league so Stern wouldn’t have to decide between laying off hard working people or going for his weekly manicure/pedicure and choosing what Rolex projected the image of success without rubbing it in people’s faces. Had David Stern left his ancient mindset for a second, he would have found ways to not only curb Cuban’s so-called disruptive and disrespectful behavior, but also help promote the sport, rather than being the butt end of rants such as this one - but I digress.

A moment on “Twitter” - I must admit that being a technology and finance recruiter, a take a great interest in web companies and wonder how they generate incredible excitement and somehow raise money (Facebook, thank you Microsoft) , while offering little intrinsic value to an investor except possibly hoping to raise ad revenues by serving a targeted ad that asks me if I want to enlarge my member or find the next great real estate deal. Twitter, on the other hand, has potential because thanks to texting and presidents who can neither pronounce the word “Nuclear,” nor pronounce any of the names of the leaders of the countries we fear amassing “Nuclear” arms, it is ok to now communicate in 140 characters and nonsensical quips. Twitter has tapped into the ADD of the nation.

Twitter has become the best tool for TheRealShaq (Shaq), the Big Hairless (Villanueva) and the Big Mouth (Cuban). The NBA has clamped down on the 1st amendment and has been fining Cuban and anyone else who doesn’t comply with their bland brand. Mark Cuban Rips Refs on Twitter Cuban should just write a blank check and Twitter away. While this is an unintended consequence, Twitter has become integral to the fundraising for Stern and his cronies. Had Stern been more of a technofile, he could have forseen this development and wouldn’t have had to lay off those hard working people who rely on the NBA for their subsistence. Now, instead of pocketing the money that comes from Cuban’s wallet, I think we should all challenge the NBA to give back, and not in a shamelessly self-promotional way (on camera). They should put all fines coming from Twitter related incidents into a scholarship fund for technosavvy individuals. Just my 2 cents.


Mark Cuban vs. Frau David Stern