NBA owner Mark Cuban rows with Senator Ted Cruz over ‘GoWokeGoBroke’ claims

Texas politician angered billionaire by attacking league’s social activism

NBA owner Mark Cuban clashed with Senator Ted Cruz after the politician blamed the league’s support for Black Lives Matter for its falling TV ratings. (Getty Images)

NBA owner Mark Cuban clashed with Senator Ted Cruz after the politician blamed the league’s falling TV ratings on its support for Black Lives Matter.

Sen Cruz took to Twitter to suggest that the poor ratings were caused by the NBA’s social activism and player protests, adding the hashtag “#GoWokeGoBroke”.

The third game of the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat on Friday night was the least watched Finals game in history with just 5.94 million viewers.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mr Cuban objected to the tweet and called out Mr Cruz.

“A US Senator with 3 @NBA teams in his state, employing thousands of people and he is rooting for their businesses to do poorly,” wrote Mr Cuban.

“This is who you are @tedcruz . Every minute of your life, this is exactly who you are.”

Mr Cruz shot back that he was a Houston Rockets fan and always supported the other teams from Texas.

But he accused the NBA of turning “every game into a left-wing political lecture. That’s dumb.”

Mr Cuban rejected the accusation and shot back at the politician: “You are so full of s***. You haven't watched a game of the finals, how would you know what is being said or done?

“Since when is a desire to end racism an insult to anyone or political? And you don't think using #GetWokeGoBroke is a partisan insult? Again, this is who you are.”

Mr Cruz replied: “I wish @mcuban loved his fans as much as he loves Chinese money.”

Observers say the viewing figures have been impacted by the NBA playing the finals in October and during an intense election season.