It's interesting that Cuban takes this position, when he's the owner who likely treats his team like more of a business than any other owner in the NBA. Cuban, unlike Donald Sterling and many other owners, actually tries to deliver a good product and good service to his customers. That's what businesses do, and that's how they remain successful. Just because you have passionate fans doesn't make the business different (and in fact, teams have passionate fans because they run good businesses). Sports fans aren't any different than the fans who camp out for the latest iphone or playstation, run message boards for their favorite bands or celebrities, or plaster "MOPAR SUCKS" stickers all over their Fords.
Many other franchise owners don't act like Cuban precisely because the government has created an environment where sports teams don't need to operate like other businesses. The leagues are granted state-sanctioned monopolies and, due to Americans' abundant free time and income, many teams get to coast by on revenue generated by other teams. Owners like Donald Sterling got to print money for two decades despite the dreadful fan experience or the team's record. That's what makes owning a franchise a business unlike any other.
Many other franchise owners don't act like Cuban precisely because the government has created an environment where sports teams don't need to operate like other businesses. The leagues are granted state-sanctioned monopolies and, due to Americans' abundant free time and income, many teams get to coast by on revenue generated by other teams. Owners like Donald Sterling got to print money for two decades despite the dreadful fan experience or the team's record. That's what makes owning a franchise a business unlike any other.