Twitter does not like the Mavericks' new hoops class for women
The Dallas Mavericks, once again, are offering a promotional class designed to help women learn about the nuances of basketball. Y’know, the sort of knowledge that us boys weren’t allowed to graduate kindergarten without, apparently.
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The tweet announcing the “program” (?) is as gnarly as you’d expect:
Hey girl, hey, come to #NBA101 9/13! Mavs players, dinner & bball all filled in 1 night! https://t.co/Z8ljJd3IgX pic.twitter.com/wjQEYBMNSP
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) August 31, 2016
Hey, girl. Hey. Take off your headphones and let’s patronize it up, #MFFL-style!
From the team’s description of the event:
NBA 101 for women is an annual event hosted by Mavs players, coaches and staff. It’s an opportunity for women to learn and understand the fundamentals of basketball in a fun, light and interactive atmosphere.
This women-only event, held at American Airlines Center practice court and locker room, provides basic instruction on topics including offensive and defensive sets, coaching strategy, as well as a Q&A session with a player and behind the scenes information about workouts and life on the road.
The event will also include a cash bar, and it will be sponsored by “Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers!”
The appropriate reaction hit almost immediately:
delete your account @dallasmavs
— Kayla Knapp (@KaylaKnappFOX) August 31, 2016
so according to @dallasmavs, the only people who need a basketball 101 are women specifically? ok. got it. pic.twitter.com/2R4fiqU1Nc
— Mike Taddow (@taddmike) August 31, 2016
There's a way to cater to new fans – even specifically women if you want – without making the pitch gendered. We don't all like pink.
— Kayla Knapp (@KaylaKnappFOX) August 31, 2016
"Basketball for broads? What will they think of next!"
*slaps knee*
*chews Skoal*
*gets mouth cancer*
*dies* https://t.co/Oj1z2PF5ZT
— PhlebasThePhoenician (@Cosmis) August 31, 2016
Do we have to make the dinner for #NBA101, too, @dallasmavs?
— Maddy Pryor (@maddyyypryor) August 31, 2016
@ThatDamnYank @KaylaKnappFOX @dallasmavs time to organize a social media for men class
— Maxi Rodriguez (@FutbolIntellect) August 31, 2016
@dallasmavs following basketball with my lady brain is sooo hard but OMG hawt bball players will be there!!1!
— Baby Noivern (@LunalaDoll) August 31, 2016
"We can tell you the 1993 starting line-up of the Mavs so you can tell the men you're a real fan!" https://t.co/V5XQR4tezi
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) August 31, 2016
@dallasmavs is this that thing where they kick the ball through the goal posts
— Ashley Holcomb (@ashleyxholcomb) August 31, 2016
me showing up to the #NBA101 sesh pic.twitter.com/GdwmH2qudC
— Sarah Lerner (@SarahLerner) August 31, 2016
Mavs owner Mark Cuban took a break from addressing former-buddy and current Republican Party nominee for President Donald Trump’s speech from Mexico on Wednesday to answer a few questions about the infuriating way this was promoted, or piled together:
@kmattio @dallasmavs agree. But when we tried to change the name our customers complained
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 31, 2016
@kmattio @dallasmavs my customers >PC
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) August 31, 2016
“PC.”
OK, guy.
People can use “101” classes to their benefit. People like, at times, Mark Cuban, the minds behind this event, and the Dallas Mavericks’ social media chief that signed off on this tweet.
There are entry-level cooking classes. Entry-level classes for sketching, playing the piano, speaking a new language, or learning how to do ‘The Hustle.’ Cuban, you’ll recall, helped work his way through college by specializing in teaching the final class on that particular list of examples.
There’s no shame in gearing up a “101” promotion for those that want to learn about the game, those hoping to potentially become fans of an enterprise that engenders civic pride while consistently (since Mark Cuban purchased control of the team) just about guaranteeing a great night out.
To those of us that grew up only obsessing over basketball, baseball and football with the odd dip into hockey, boxing, golf, racing or tennis, some “101” classes set to explain MMA fighting or E-Sports would still probably go a long way toward future fandom. And if the Mavs made this event and advertisement irrespective of gender or patronizing pandering (“hey, girl … hey?”), this could be a hit. These sorts of classes, in the formation stage, are a great idea.
(Save for the “cash bar” part.)
@kimpossiblydire @KDonhoops cash bar?! when will they just give us our free moscato for learning what a screen is?!
— Erin M. Routson (@dietcokeforever) August 31, 2016
This version still remains condescending and wrong in ways that just about betray belief, especially in 2016. The Mavericks might value potential “customers” over “PC,” but in making this female-only and presuming that just one gender needs this sort of first step program, apparently they sure don’t think a hell of a lot of those potential “customers.”
If this tweet and advertisement are in any way representative of the program itself, the Mavs appear to think these future customers are merely walking purses with open checkbooks, gross cooties, and super-weird chromosomal setups. Bit of a whiff there, Dallas Mavericks.
(That’s a baseball reference, Mavboys. Looks like you got stuck without the balls or the bat in this one.)
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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!