Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has finally revealed the reason why he chose to revoke access from ESPN web reporters to his team's home games.
The business mogul's decision was “driven partly by concern that automated game reports could eventually replace human-generated content,” according to the Associated Press via FOX Sports News.
Cuban said that he banned Dallas-based reporters Marc Stein and Tim MacMahon from his team's home games to bring attention to the issue of companies using automation in sports coverage.
The Associated Press, in partnership with Automated Insights, produces automated stories on minor league baseball but does not use the technology for most of the sports that are being covered.
The AP has at least one reporter at all games in the four major professional sports (football, basketball, baseball, hockey) and most major college football and basketball games.
“We are deeply troubled by the Dallas Mavericks’ move to revoke the credentials of two respected, longtime NBA journalists. The Mavericks’ move is without merit. We call on the Mavericks to reverse their decision or for NBA officials to intervene to allow Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein to continue their work.”