Mark Cuban hits nail on the head, re: newspapers

If you get Esquire via subscription, then the issue with George Clooney's already in your mailbox (or, if you're diligent about emptying it, the mag's on your coffee table or night stand or bathroom sink).

In any event, flip to this month's "What I've Learned" feature, and this month's interviewee, Mark Cuban.

In it, Cuban spends a few moments talking about how newspapers aren't dying and remain quite profitable. I left my copy at home this morning, but it talks about how newspaper companies are still hugely profitable, but are scared so shitless of their shareholders that they've forgotten what they're good at.

When the electronic version gets posted at Esquire.com, I'll grab a few grafs for this thread.

In any event, it's good to see someone outside our industry recgonize one of the biggest problems inside our industry.

Thanks, Mark.

 

http://www.esquire.com/features/articles/2006/061105_mfe_December_06_Cuban.html

 

For the first time in my life, I am compelled to say,
Bra-fucking-vo, Mr. Cuban.
(However, I have a feeling that, if newspapers really behaved the way that "makes them special," he'd have certain objections about their coverage of him, his businessesm, and his basketball team.)

 

I've always enjoyed Cuban. He's a rich guy who's enjoying himself. I would do the same in his position.
And after reading this, I like him even more.
Honestly, could you imagine if Cuban owned YOUR newspaper?

 

Yeah, we'd make the Pulitzer finals every years and never win.

 

Yeah, but at least we'd have job security.

 

Only a few years ago, the mere presence of Mark Cuban drove me up a wall. Yet I was inclined to find out what makes him tick, and I have been pleasantly surprised at his insight and his beliefs. Heck, he didn't become a megamillionaire just by being a fool.

 

I read the issue yesterday and there is plenty of good stuff in there, including the Cuban piece.

Jones' article on Clooney is very good, as well.

 

That's billionaire.

 

every time i've crossed paths with cuban, i am amazed at how smart he is, how well-rounded he is, and how much he knows about everything.

in talking about the nba's infatuation with playing and having training camp overseas, he talked about how bad it would be for newspapers and the local US outlets that covers the mavs. he basically said: i know that -- at the most -- newspapers/local outlets would send one person to cover training camp if we had it in germany, just because of the climate of the industry. that doesn't help fans, the mavs, the community, the readers or anybody. so what's the point?

 

i saw him quoted on that too, but if he doesn't grasp the concept of grass roots development overseas he isn't as brilliant as we thought.

 

Right, like the NBA really wants MORE foreign players on its rosters.