The Dallas Mavericks earned their first win of the season Sunday, but ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein weren’t there to see it. Apparently, Mark Cuban is the reason why.
The Mavs owner has revoked the season media credentials of MacMahon and Stein, barring either reporter from attending home games as journalists, SB Nation’s Tim Cato reported Sunday, citing several sources.
According to Cato’s report, Cuban isn’t upset with what ESPN is writing about his team, but about how the network is covering the Mavs. ESPN has transitioned MacMahon to a wider NBA role this season instead of having him focus on the Mavs beat, while Stein, who also is based in Dallas, continues to focus on more national NBA news.
Not surprisingly, Cuban’s decision has been met with harsh backlash. The Professional Basketball Writers Association released a statement Monday rebuking the Mavs owner’s actions.
“We are deeply troubled by the Dallas Mavericks’ move to revoke the credentials of two respected, longtime NBA journalists,” the statement read. “The Mavericks’ move is without merit. We call on the Mavericks to reverse their decision or for NBA officials to intervene to allow Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein to continue their work.”
MacMahon and Stein attended the Mavs’ season opener and the team’s next three road games, but as of Monday, they no longer were allowed into Dallas’ home games as journalists.
Other media members also have sided with ESPN in calling out Cuban.
The Mavericks sit 14th in the Western Conference at 1-5, so Cuban’s club isn’t doing itself any favors on the court, either.
