Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks Owner, Believes Gay Basketball Player To Come Out In NBA Soon

The NBA might currently be without an openly gay player, but according to one top basketball honcho, it's going to happen soon.

In an interview with TMZ, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban says he expects the NBA to welcome an openly gay player within the next three to five years.

"I think there'll be guys who'll come out of the closet and continue to play in the NBA and be accepted," Cuban says in the interview (at about 9:00). After noting that he believes an openly gay player will come before a female coach, he added, it will be "more of a media sensation....than a player issue."

Of course, when a gay basketball player does come forward, he'll be in good company. Take a look at some famous LGBT athletes below:

Comments

[llkz47]

09:53 AM on 12/24/2011

I still believe that Johnny Weir is totally a hetero and he is into women. His flamboyance don't fool me.

[mactownfun]

06:14 PM on 12/21/2011

I think he means a gay owner will come out soon. He's just testing the water first.

[rMatey]

12:33 AM on 12/21/2011

So just how does Mark Cuban know for sure he's in the closet?? Same closet??

[motoGpifupleez]

11:20 PM on 12/20/2011

I doubt it. Not by choice anyway. And once "outed", he will not be accepted by the other players.

Anyone who thinks differently and is currently involved in organized sports at any level, I dare you to prove me wrong and come out to your teammates.

Homophobia is every bit as strong as it ever was, and will continue to be so for a LONG time to come. I'd love to be wrong on this one, but I (and anyone in sports) know that I'm not.

[frank day]

08:56 AM on 12/21/2011

"And once "outed", he will not be accepted by the other players."

Wrong. There are already gay basketball players and their teammates are aware of it.

It is the public that is not aware. Cuban is correct. Society is changing whether you regressives

admit it or not.

[Vintage59]

04:33 AM on 12/22/2011

As an openly gay manager at a golf course, I think you should broaden your knowledge before making broad assertions. Homophobia draws its only strength from other peoples' fears and weaknesses. It can stand the light of day as well as racism. That hasn't gone away, either but it has to hide in a closet now.

[O K Ali]

09:37 PM on 12/20/2011

Like Charles Barkley said, being gay in the NBA is not a problem. Not contributing on the court when it comes to points, rebounds, and assists is.

[Justin Seybert]

07:21 PM on 12/20/2011

Wilt Chamberlain had 20,000 beards?

[snapper123]

02:33 PM on 12/20/2011

I really want to concentrate on quality sports without concerns about drug use, gay or dating a Kardashian, beating up spouses, betting on ball games, missing curfews, mortgage payments etc. We need good role models and people who give 100% on the field and then go home and do whatever they want in their own home. TMZ is a trashy source of inuendos.

[Quotidien]

12:01 PM on 12/20/2011

And I expect a gay Dallas Mavericks owner to come out.

[catahoulahogdogs]

05:07 PM on 12/20/2011

That was the best laugh I have had today!! thanks

[grope and change]

07:52 AM on 12/20/2011

This player will be held up as a hero, encouraged to speak up and display his lifestyle to the public by the same people who are telling Tebow to shut his mouth concerning his religion. Gotta love libs

[Bob Kellerman]

04:40 PM on 12/20/2011

THICK HEADED

If and when a player comes out (dubious in light of the thug mentality)
A-- it will be to avoid lying, since players' private lives are news, and players commonly share who they are dating, have pictures of family, etc
B--- even more, it will be to help young kids to understand not to bully others by calling them Gay, true or not -- as happened prominently in the NBA last season. The NBA is majority Black, a culture which has difficulty dealing openly with the issue.

Tebow is doing something DURING GAMES to call attn to himself -- not merely mentioning his faith when asked

[phal4875]

07:52 PM on 12/20/2011

We tend not to be homophobes. Why are you?

[NYCSocialWork]

04:57 AM on 12/20/2011

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2757105

Here's a story about John Amaechi. Gay former NBA player.

[Bob Kellerman]

04:41 PM on 12/20/2011

Have met him -- GREAT GUY!!

Note that he is English and fairly well educated, which separates him from typical NBA atttitudes

[NYCSocialWork]

04:55 AM on 12/20/2011

K

[bushitbrain]

03:00 AM on 12/20/2011

It really is incredible, is'nt it ? After Rod-Man, WHAT is the big deal ? During the DADT arguments before congress, gay placards proclaimed: " I may not be straight, but I can Shoot Straight". Similarly, I don't care WHO you have sex with, as long as you can get boards, & make shots (preferably 3's) !
No question about it. THE Big Taboos in sports stem from this BS about young people. You cannot be gay or smoke dope as a college or pro athlete, if you are supposed to set `An Example' for young people. What example is that ? If Americans think long & hard about it, SPORTs is one of the real drivers behind both the drugwar & gay descrimination in sports. It's Utterly hypocritical horseshit...

[cat lover and liberal]

02:17 AM on 12/20/2011

As tough as it would be for male sports stars to come out, they would be doing a favour for thousands of gay kids by doing so.

[hollywood2008]

12:54 AM on 12/20/2011

Basketball is a MAN's sport...you can be wearing stilettos and a skirt and still be good at basketball

[Recalled]

12:21 AM on 12/20/2011

Johnny Weir come out? There was no out to go thru. It couldn't have been more apparent.