Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made his stance on players protesting known during a recent interview with ESPN's Jeremy Schaap on “Outside The Lines.”

The controversial billionaire CEO vowed to stand in unison with his Mavs players, regardless of what action they decide to take upon restarting the NBA season in Orlando:

“Whether it's holding an arm up in the air, whether it's taking a knee, whatever it is,” said Cuban. “I don't think this is an issue of respect or disrespect to the flag or to the anthem or to our country …

“I'll defer to Adam (Silver) on any final judgments and Michele Roberts, but my hope is that we'll let those players do exactly what they think is the right thing to do.”

The Mavs owner went on to say he feels this is a matter of players stepping up for what they believe in and being willing to “say what's in their heart and do what they think is right.”

The cliche bouquet didn't end there, as Schaap was quick to bring up a quote from 2017, when Cuban said “I'll be standing there with a hand over my heart” in regards to the national anthem, noting he expected his players to stand for the anthem as well.

Clearly things have changed a lot since then, and Cuban has pivoted from his sentiment from three years ago:

“If they were taking a knee and they were being respectful, I'd be proud of them,” said Cuban. “Hopefully I'd join them, because I think we've learned a lot since 2017.”

Cuban usually chooses his words carefully, but only seconds prior, he had said this wasn't an issue of respect or disrespect. So, why bring up the respect factor in regards to the anthem?

The Mavs owner vowed to stand in unison with his players, regardless of what route they take, but this smells of a PR move that Cuban and many other owners will soon have to make in the wake of a social justice movement.