Mark Cuban made his fortune through the sale of his company, Broadcast.com, to Yahoo for $5.7 billion in 1999. Rather than push his luck during the frenetic peak of the Internet bubble, Cuban took his cash and fulfilled a dream, buying the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for $280 million in 2000. With a risk-taking approach and a focus on marketing and investing in the product, Cuban has since presided over the Mavericks’ transformation into one of the league’s most successful and high-profile teams. Cuban recently chatted with Baseball Prospectus about the role of a good owner, labor relations in pro sports, and more.
Barry Bonds, Adrian Beltre, Albert Pujols and company are well on their way to huge seasons. But Dayn Perry writes that 1996 and 2000 dwarf this year’s cavalcade of offensive outburstery.
Taking a whack at the concept of success cycles, the Tiger Plan has proven an effective strategy in Motown. Nate Silver takes a closer look.
Will Carroll has the latest on Jermaine Dye, Preston Wilson, Paul Byrd and more. Plus find out why Will’s volunteering for pain. All that and more in today’s Under The Knife.
Ever wonder, when you see a manager make a terrible move, if he has a grander plan? Derek Zumsteg sees method behind the madness, and explores.