‘Have Some Balls for Once’: Mark Cuban and Ted Cruz Throw Down Over NBA Ties to China

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) sparred over the NBA’s ties to China in a feisty Twitter exchange beginning Sunday night. At one point, Cuban, frustrated that the Texas Senator screenshotted his tweet, told Cruz to “have some balls for once.”

It all started when Cuban snapped back at conservative radio host Mark Davis who tweeted, “The minute one player kneels during the anthem, I am OUT. Surely [Mark Cuban] can lead the way for #Mavs, #NBA to do whatever gesture they wish without insulting the nation.”

Cuban replied simply, “Bye.”

Bye https://t.co/NUwv7asO44

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020

He later added, “The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before you start work.”

The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before you start work. https://t.co/NUwv7asO44

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020

Cruz took a screenshot of Cuban’s original clapback and responded, “NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to ‘piss off’? In Texas, no less? Good luck with that.”

“Have some balls for once @tedcruz,” Cuban shot back. “Speak to me. It’s my tweet.”

Really??!?

NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less?

Good luck with that. pic.twitter.com/AVWLMZIqu0

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020

Have some balls for once @tedcruz. Speak to me. It’s my tweet. https://t.co/QGza2qWoRR

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020

Cruz, not happy with Cuban’s response, got the last word Monday afternoon, attacking the 20-year NBA owner for his league’s connections to China. The senator also referenced a viral video of the NBA’s online store not allowing customers to order “Free Hong Kong” customized jerseys.

Still no answer from @mcuban

Let’s try simpler. Mark, tough guy, can you say “Free Hong Kong”?

Can your players put that on their jerseys?

Can you condemn the CCP’s concentration camps w/ 1 million Uyghurs?

Can you say ANYTHING other than “Chairman Mao is beautiful & wise”? https://t.co/0XpLRaFSw2

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020

In case you were wondering, Cruz is a Rockets fan, not a Mavericks fan.