ONE Dallas Mavericks Fan pushed out of a game this week after protesting against General Manager Nico Harrison for the Luka Doncic trade was invited back to sitting court with permission from minority owner Mark Cuban.
Garrett Bussey and his friend Chris Taylor, Die-Hard Maverick’s fans, were among the few fans thrown out from Monday evening’s match against Sacramento Kings After they shouted “Fire Nico”, a message they had also printed on their shirts.
A fan with a #77 Jersey shouts “Fire Nico”, referring to Dallas Maverick’s general manager Nico Harrison as a security member approaching him in the second half of a NBA basketball match against Sacramento Kings in Dallas on Monday 10 February 2025. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The couple told WFAA during an interview This week when the incident took place in the second half of the game, while Mavericks shot free kick.
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“We did ‘Fire Nico’ [chant]And it was the first time we had done it all night, “Taylor told the station. They were quickly greeted by security and escorted out of the American Airlines Center for Appealed Violation of the NBA Code of Code.
Taylor also told the station that Cuban “began to shout” at him before being escorted out, which further escalated the situation.
In a statement to WFAA, Cuban explained his side of things.
“Fans booing in crunch time while we had the ball, and while we shoot fts (free kick). I wanted to see why. So I looked where they looked. When the guy (it was just one) saw me he started screaming at me.
Dallas Maverick’s minority owner Mark Cuban during the first half against Chicago Bulls at the American Airlines Center on November 6, 2024. (Kevin Jairaj-IMAGN images)
Maverick’s fans pushed out over ‘Fire Nico’ protests in the middle of growing enmity over Luka Doncic -handel
Cuban added to his statement and said shouting from the tab happened “the whole game.”
“I didn’t care what he said. He said it all the game. I didn’t care that fans lived him while we had the ball in crunch -time or shooting fts. The time when they were to be silent, or cheered for Mavs , that was it.
Bussey told WMAQ That he was talking to Cuban after the match and was invited back to sitting court with his 7-year-old son for Wednesday’s match.
Bussey called it a “step in the right direction” for a fanbase that was abandoned after the team’s star player was traded away.
A couple of fans waving is escorted out of the game after holding a sign saying “Fire Nico”, referring to Dallas Maverick’s General Manager Nico Harrison in the second half of a NBA basketball match against Sacramento Kings in Dallas on Monday 10 . (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Doncic led the NBA to score last season and helped Mavericks reach an NBA final performance but he was treated to Los Angeles Lakers In one of the most controversial acts in recent memory.
Fans have since expressed their disdain for Harrison, Mastermind behind the trade, and asks the organization to report to increase its security before last weekend’s matches.
At least another fan was thrown out of Monday’s match for a similar protest.
