Cuban aces Smizik quiz

Smizik's five questions to Cuban:

Q: "If you bought the Pirates would you give up day-to-day operation of the Mavericks?"
A: "No."

Q: "Are you really interested in buying the Pirates or are you just a long-time frustrated fan who's disappointed with the way the team is being run?"
A: "Both."

Q: "You told the Associated Press the Pirates said the team wasn't for sale. Were you just inquiring or did you make a firm offer?"
A: "Inquiring."

Q: "If the team goes on the market after the 2006 season, would you still be interested?"
A: "Yes."

Q: "You are a hands-on owner. If you bought the Pirates, would you move to Pittsburgh?"
A: "No, but I would spend more time there. I have several close friends who want to be part of the group. We all grew up together. They have been very successful in business and still live in Pittsburgh. So there would be plenty of attention."

Bob likes Cuban:

Cuban's success with the Mavericks has been truly impressive. Consider:

In the four full seasons before he bought the team, the Mavericks were 84-212. When he took over in January of 2000, the team was 9-23. It finished that season by going 31-10. Over the next five seasons, the Mavericks were 280-130.

The Cuban way is more than spending money. He's a marketing wizard who treats his fans like they are valued customers. He energized the entire franchise and much of the Dallas-Ft. Worth area with the force of his gung-ho personality.