Time's Up for Dallas Mavericks Organization
Kevin C. Cox—Getty Images
One of the bigger news stories coming out over the holiday weekend was the article from Sports Illustrated, alleging serious abuse within the Dallas Mavericks Organization. In today's atmosphere, more people are feeling empowered to come forward with information on abuses from people in power, ending a culture that has led to countless traumas in all areas of business.
The first part of the story centers around former Mavericks CEO, Terdema Ussery, who was in charge of operations from 1997-2015. During his time there, he made frequent sexual advances to, and outright requested sexual activity from other employees within the organization. After his time in Dallas was done, he worked for apparel company Under Armour, but resigned only two months in due to an investigation into inappropriate conduct with a female co-worker.
A second perpetrator was alleged in the SI article as well. Mavs.com beat writer Earl K. Sneed was arrested and charged with domestic assault some time during the 2010-2011 NBA season. He pled guilty, and had his sentence reduced with community service and anger management classes. The Mavericks allowed him to keep his job as well. Then again, in 2014, he was accused of acting violently with a female coworker that he had a relationship with. Again, the Mavericks kept him on staff. After this story broke, the Mavericks announced on Tuesday that they had terminated Sneed, and had no knowledge of Ussery's misconduct while he was employed with them.
Finally, the Mavericks' HR Director Buddy Pittman has been released, as he is being accused of covering up these acts over the years.
The main question that remains is, did owner Mark Cuban know? As any basketball fan can tell you, Cuban is a hands-on presence in the organization. Could he really have no idea this was happening while being so involved? I doubt he was oblivious to it, but it is possible it was kept from him. I look forward to a resolution on this, as groups and companies of all sizes need to know that this behavior is not normal or tolerated.
My guess? He knew. At least in broad strokes, if not the details of the complaints.
I Agree he must have known. The only good thing is people are now speaking out. This sort of behaviour is just not acceptable. People in power have been getting away with it for far to long.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by jaymesbawned from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows. Please find us at the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you would like to delegate to the Minnow Support Project you can do so by clicking on the following links: 50SP, 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP, 5000SP.
Be sure to leave at least 50SP undelegated on your account.
I think if presented with a similar scenario, Mark Cuban would say it didn't matter if he knew or not. It was and is his responsibility to know and that he must accept some accountability himself regardless.
Completely. It's his team and it ultimately the buck stops with him. I think that's partly why the actors in this situation have been released by the organization already.
I also look forward to a resolution of this issue, and really completely ditching this culture that tells us this kind of behavior is acceptable.