Mavericks’ $32 billion owners attacked for not allowing ‘freedom of speech’ as fans get kicked out

Dallas Mavericks fans faced backlash from owners Patrick Dumont and GM Nico Harrison after booing them in aftermath of the Luka Doncic trade.

Mavericks’ $32 billion owners attacked for not allowing ‘freedom of speech’ as fans get kicked out

Mavericks fans boo owners Patrick Dumont and GM Nico Harrison in aftermath of Luka Doncic trade

Tensions in Dallas reached a boiling point Monday night as several Mavericks fans were ejected from the American Airlines Center after protesting the front office’s decision to trade future franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic. The fans carried their frustrations from the trade into the game against the Sacramento Kings, chanting for Mavs GM Nico Harrison to be fired. This led to an ugly night at the AAC.

The controversy stemmed from a Mavs fan who appeared to be singing along to the Arena’s Karaoke Cam. However, as soon as the broadcast camera panned to him, the fan immediately switched and started mouthing ‘Fire Nico’ in protest of Harrison and Mavs owner Patrick Dumont’s controversial and heavily criticized decision.

YouTube video

A separate video captured the same fan and another attendee holding up signs with the same message – ‘Fire Nico.’ Security soon approached them, and shortly after, videos surfaced showing multiple fans being escorted out of their seats to loud boos from the crowd.

FS Video

Weird night at the AAC. Multiple fans ejected. Mavericks are asked to comment on ejections; they haven’t yet. No indication if they will. Jason Kidd doesn’t talk postgame.

Christian Clark reported

This only adds to the unrest in the city as Mavericks fans continue to stage protests across Dallas to cope with a struggling team that lost their biggest star. To add to their woes, the front office’s vision to acquire Anthony Davis in return for Luka Doncic is a move that, in hindsight, looks even worse as Davis suffered a groin strain in his debut for the Mavs, putting him out of action for significant time.

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Social Media calls out Mavericks Owners for silencing and ejecting fans

The decision by the Dallas Mavericks owners and front office to stifle protests by fans at the American Airlines Center did not go unnoticed by the internet. The incident quickly went viral, with NBA fans across social media blasting the Mavericks for suppressing criticism. Many saw it as an infringement on the fans’ freedom of speech and expression to protest a decision that they were explicitly unhappy with.

Even before Monday’s game, the backlash against Nico Harrison and the ownership group, led by Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson, had been fierce. Fans protested outside the arena during the team’s first home game post-trade, demanding Harrison’s firing and calling for new ownership.

Some even mistakenly directed their anger at former Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, despite Cuban having publicly opposed the decision to trade Luka Doncic. The Mavericks’ problems continue to extend beyond their off-court drama. With Davis injured and the team struggling to find its identity post-Doncic, their once-promising season, following a trip to the NBA Finals last season, has unraveled.

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Instead of competing for a title as Harrison had envisioned, Dallas is now fighting just to secure a play-in spot. If fan unrest continues and the team keeps losing, the pressure on ownership and the front office will only increase.