Cuban's first fine last season was $25,000 on Nov. 2, 2000, for criticizing officials after a game against Seattle. Within three weeks there were two more fines, one for $5,000, the next for $15,000.
On Jan. 1, 2001, he was fined $100,000 for sitting on the baseline during a game against Minnesota. Three days later, Stern imposed the $250,000 fine for criticizing officials after a game against Detroit. There was another $10,000 fine on Feb. 15 that was accompanied by a two-game suspension for running on the court to break up a fight in a game against Cleveland. Finally, on April 15, Cuban was fined $100,000 for making a derogatory gesture.