Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal released their annual most influential in sports business top 50. The Mavericks owner comes in as the most influential among NBA owner. He ranks third overall in the NBA behind commissioner David Stern and deputy commissioner and COO Adam Silver. Cuban ranked one spot ahead of players rep Billy Hunter.
Overall, Cuban is 35th on the Top 50 list, down 11 spots from last season. Here's the Journal's take on Cuban:
Billionaire Mark Cuban not only has deep pockets to wield a lot of influence, but his bold, aggressive style makes everyone in sports stand up and listen, whether they like the noise emanating from his bully pulpit or not.
From his interest in buying the Chicago Cubs to the marketing of his beloved Mavericks, Cuban is seen as a trailblazer. His typically outspoken style in taking on David Stern & Co. at the NBA adds needed balance to the league’s power structure.
But now Cuban finds himself embroiled in one of his biggest battles as he defends himself against insider trading charges. How that plays out could affect his reputation across the industry.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has Cuban beat pretty good. Jones jumped 13 spots this year to finish No. 2 behind and Mr. Influential, George Bodenheimer, President of ESPN/ABC Sports. Bodenheimer jumped three spots to take the top spot. And why not, ESPN, after all, is emperor of the sports universe.
-- Jeff Caplan
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