Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers

By Matt Snyder

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has now swung and missed three times on owning a baseball franchise. Cuban's latest attempt to join the MLB ranks was with the Dodgers, currently up for sale from Frank McCourt's ownership. Cuban was among the names eliminated from the preliminary bidding and is not a finalist. He spoke to Access Hollywood about why, and it sounds like he didn't want to move on as a finalist.

Dodgers in transition
Dodgers narrow list to finalists Original list of potential bidders Heyman: Dodgers were after on Prince McCourt thinks ticket prices too low

“It just didn’t work out. I wanted to buy a baseball team; they were selling a media rights deal," Cuban said (Access Hollywood), alluding to the fact that the Dodgers' TV rights are up for sale and obviously a big part of the purchase price.

He then elaborated (Access Hollywood): “The economics got so out of control because the Dodgers’ TV deal’s up for bid and so there’s a lot of groups coming in going, ‘This TV deal’s worth so much money that we’re gonna pay whatever it takes to get the Dodgers.’ And so they’re buying the TV rights deal first and the team second,” Mark said.

It's a bit of a head-scratcher to come at it from this angle, because buying a baseball team is a huge package deal. Every team has TV rights. If they didn't, revenues would be a lot lower. Basically, Cuban's bid was far too low and he thinks the other bids are too high.

But anyway, that's Cuban's story. He's out. The biggest names left in the bidding are Magic Johnson, Rick Caruso (Joe Torre's group), Steven Cohen and the Disney Family.

Hat-tip: Bill Shaikin on Twitter

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commishrg Reputation: 91 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 20, 2008	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:47 pm Score: 23 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers I wish he would buy The Mets?????????????They need him... [ Reply to Comment ]
BronxNYY Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 20, 2009	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:38 pm Score: 136 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers There is nothing wrong with Mark Cuban. Those of you talking ill of Cuban, you're opinions are missplaced. At least Cuban has a passion for winning, treats his players and the community right, and spends the funds to fields a quality product. Just because he acts like a clown doesn not mean he is bad for the sport. This is not IBM or Microsoft we are talking about. This is a sports franchise. Sports are entertainment. There is nothing wrong with an owner being at the forefront and part of his team's show. The bigger problem are these silent owners who are in it just for the money and could care less about the fans or spending the necessary capital to field a competitive quality product. There are too many of them in baseball as it is. We don't need more. Atleast we know Cuban will spend the money and field a competitive quality product. [ Reply to Comment ]
argo444 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 9, 2009	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:16 pm Score: 75 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers Sour grapes. Didn't he know what he was bidding on before he submitted it? [ Reply to Comment ]
myzto Reputation: 95 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 26, 2006	Posted on: January 31, 2012 12:07 pm Score: 96 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers Mariners will be for sell in 2015. New TV deal will be available and Nintendo is losing money. Cutting payroll and everything is playing towards a 2015 sell. Felix's contract will be resigned or traded, Ichiro retired, figgins gone. I'd take Mark Cuban in a heart beat as the new Mariners owner and would be excited. Cuban buy those Mariners! [ Reply to Comment ]
Whereyaat? Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Mar 22, 2011	Posted on: January 31, 2012 11:46 am Score: 115 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers I live in Dallas and am a huge Mavs/Mark Cuban fan. Trust me when I say that every team would want an owner like him. He is good for the NBA and would have been great for baseball. But, DUD Selig would never allow someone like Mark to own a team. He is seen as a Maverick (no pun intended) who isn't afraid to call out the Commisioner. Bottom line - Cuban is good for whatever sport he is involved with. Whether you like it or not, his players are treated very well and he is seen as a pioneer. Keep up the great work Mark - MFFL! [ Reply to Comment ]
chiledipper Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 9, 2008	Posted on: January 31, 2012 10:34 am Score: 84 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers I personally love the Maevricks but can't stand Mark Cuban but... say what you want... Mark Cuban is no stupid businessman. So if he thinks the Dodgers are overpriced they probably are. But then again... aren't they all overpriced in the final analysis? [ Reply to Comment ]
Jo$$ Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 24, 2007	Posted on: January 31, 2012 10:01 am Score: 49 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers One of the best owners in all of sports...maybe he is trigger shy because he also missed out on The Penguins while they were in shambles and just before they went to The Stanley Cup finals back to back...What a loaded asset he would have right now... [ Reply to Comment ]
ThuggetsFan Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jul 24, 2008	Posted on: January 31, 2012 8:29 am Score: 112 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers I wish he could buy the Rockies. We were really close to breaking through and becoming a perennial power but an unwillingness to bring in any pitching or clutch hitting has hindered the team. You have to be crazy to think that an owner like Cuban would be bad for baseball. Winning over profits are a fans wet dream. [ Reply to Comment ]
YHATER1 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Jan 18, 2012	Posted on: January 31, 2012 6:39 am Score: 17 Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers Baseball has too many of these type of owners. Glad he is not involved in MLB. [ Reply to Comment ]
breathless7 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Jan 31, 2012	Posted on: January 31, 2012 1:24 am Score: 12 This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator

There is nothing wrong with Mark Cuban. Those of you talking ill of Cuban, you're opinions are missplaced. At least Cuban has a passion for winning, treats his players and the community right, and spends the funds to fields a quality product. Just because he acts like a clown doesn not mean he is bad for the sport. This is not IBM or Microsoft we are talking about. This is a sports franchise. Sports are entertainment. There is nothing wrong with an owner being at the forefront and part of his team's show. The bigger problem are these silent owners who are in it just for the money and could care less about the fans or spending the necessary capital to field a competitive quality product. There are too many of them in baseball as it is. We don't need more. Atleast we know Cuban will spend the money and field a competitive quality product.

Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers

Mariners will be for sell in 2015. New TV deal will be available and Nintendo is losing money. Cutting payroll and everything is playing towards a 2015 sell. Felix's contract will be resigned or traded, Ichiro retired, figgins gone.

I'd take Mark Cuban in a heart beat as the new Mariners owner and would be excited.

Cuban buy those Mariners!

Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers

I live in Dallas and am a huge Mavs/Mark Cuban fan. Trust me when I say that every team would want an owner like him. He is good for the NBA and would have been great for baseball.

But, DUD Selig would never allow someone like Mark to own a team. He is seen as a Maverick (no pun intended) who isn't afraid to call out the Commisioner.

Bottom line - Cuban is good for whatever sport he is involved with. Whether you like it or not, his players are treated very well and he is seen as a pioneer.

Keep up the great work Mark - MFFL!

Cuban explains losing out on Dodgers

I wish he could buy the Rockies. We were really close to breaking through and becoming a perennial power but an unwillingness to bring in any pitching or clutch hitting has hindered the team. You have to be crazy to think that an owner like Cuban would be bad for baseball. Winning over profits are a fans wet dream.

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