The SEC v. Mark Cuban

Regardless of how sports fans feel about outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, few would deny that his communications skills “got game.”

(As a longtime pro hoops fan, I found this out a couple of years ago when, on a whim, I e-mailed him my analysis of a big trade he had just finalized; Cuban e-mailed me back a thoughtful response to my amateur analysis within 30 minutes.)

Last month, the SEC alleged that Cuban – a highly successful Internet entrepreneur who still runs a number of business ventures in addition to his NBA franchise – was committed insider trading.

Unlike any other subject of this type of allegation, Cuban has been communicative about his defense: he had his lawyer post an explanation and a key component of Cuban’s defense on Cuban’s candid blog. More recently, Cuban has gone on the offensive against the SEC, posting his analysis – both pro and con – of the SEC in light of the Office of Inspector General’s Report to Congress on the SEC.

Cuban’s maverick approach provides a rare glimpse inside a response to an SEC investigation.