PFT Live with Mike Florio PFT PM: Mark Cuban talks tanking; It's time to investigate Steve Tisch
Feb 18, 2026
Discussion of Mark Cuban's controversial pitch to accept tanking and how that clashes with sports gambling integrity. A deep dive into Miami's cap choices that could resemble tactical tanking. Travel challenges as the 49ers play in Mexico City and Melbourne. A call for a formal probe into serious allegations tied to a prominent NFL owner.
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Tanking Vs. Fan Experience
- Mark Cuban argues the NBA should embrace tanking because fans value experiences and future hope more than every-game competitiveness.
- Mike Florio counters that embracing tanking conflicts with sports gambling and undermines the integrity of competition.
Gambling Makes Tanking A Problem
- Florio says leagues can't both profit from legalized gambling and accept deliberate losing without risking integrity.
- He insists every game must have a basic understanding that both teams try their best to win.
Weigh Immediate Cap Hits Carefully
- Consider the Dolphins' cap decision with Tua as a form of deliberate rebuilding that can act like tanking.
- Teams should weigh immediate cap pain versus future roster flexibility before taking huge dead-money hits.