Mark Cuban’s blog was silent Wednesday as ABC announced the cast for “Dancing With the Stars.”
Perhaps the pressure already was getting to the outspoken owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, who along with boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. will carry the flag for athletes when the series kicks off Sept. 24.
Will Cuban and Mayweather follow in the choreographed footsteps of the former athlete winners, short-track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno and retired NFL star Emmitt Smith? Or will they waltz out the door before the finals, like former NBA star Clyde Drexler and boxer Laila Ali?
Here are RedEye’s predictions as well as a few athletes we’d like to see on future seasons.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Prediction: He has never been beaten in a professional boxing ring, and the brawler nicknamed “Pretty Boy” is not about to be upstaged by the likes of Wayne Newton and Scary Spice. Mayweather by TKO!
Signature move: The Madonna “Vogue” pose.
Mark Cuban
Prediction: The former college rugby player had hip-replacement surgery in June, so the outlook is not good.
Signature move: The Moonwalker (performed, of course, with a walker).
Michael Jordan
FORMER NBA STAR
Why: Basketball, baseball, basketball … isn’t this the natural progression?
Signature dance move: The Tongue Wag Wiggle
Danica Patrick
INDY RACING LEAGUE DRIVER
Why: The fireproof suit and crash helmet make it difficult to be a sex symbol.
Signature dance move: Waving the Checkered Flag
Tony Stewart
NASCAR DRIVER
Why: “Twinkletoes” would be a much funnier nickname for the prickly driver than “Smoke.”
Signature dance move: Kissing the Bricks
Venus Williams
TENNIS PLAYER
Why: In contrast with Wimbledon, the judges would give her points for designing her own outfits.
Signature dance move: The Forehand Grunt
Ickey Woods
FORMER NFL RUNNING BACK
Why: Two words: “Ickey Shuffle.” Already better than anything Jerry Springer on “Dancing.”
Signature dance move: The Running Man.
