Mark Cuban Rule (mark kyoo'-bun rool) noun. The informal name for legislation enacted by the NBA to regulate the behavior of team owners at games. The act requires owners to refrain from entering the court, taunting players or officials, and maintain a level of decorum mandated by the league.

Usage example: From Truehoop: "A month after he shut down the bidding and decided to keep the team, the NBA Board of Governors passed the "Mark Cuban Rule," meant to keep team owners off the bench, out of the huddle, and out of the referees' ears."

Word History: This term, and other variations (such as The Cuban Corollary), were coined simultaneously by various writers and bloggers after the act was passed in October of 2006. David Stern and the NBA Board of Governors decided that the act was necessary in part because Cuban had already accumulated $1,665,000 in fines through June, 2006. But more importantly, Cuban's behavior during the NBA Finals -- the league's brightest and most public stage -- was considered to be a major embarrassment.

[Hat Tip: Thanks to Henry Abbott for the reminder.]

Thanks to the Mark Cuban Rule,Mark Cuban can't do this anymore.

Labels: David Stern, Mark Cuban, Word of the Day