Orange County Register

By ART THOMPSON III

The Orange County Register

EL SEGUNDO - The Dallas Mavericks seemingly have instituted a full-court press on the Clippers’ super fan Darrell Bailey, AKA Clipper Darrell.

Bailey has a luncheon meeting scheduled today with Mavericks vice president Paul Monroe, head of marketing, and other members of his staff.

Bailey flew to Dallas on Sunday and attended that evening’s game between the Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets.

“I had full access to the arena,” Bailey said, via telephone this morning. “I met with all of (Monroe’s) marketing team and met the game operations people. It went really nice.”

Bailey said Monroe met him at the airport and after driving him to the hotel, where Bailey checked in, they went to the Mavericks’ home arena, American Airlines Center. Bailey had dinner at the Arena Club.

“It was very nice,” Bailey said. “They have a real strong fan base but they want to make it stronger, like the (Dallas) Cowboys have it, where people eat, drink and sleep (thinking about) Dallas Mavericks.”

Bailey said he has not been offered a position but if an offer did come, he would have to give it a lot of thought.

“They have great southern hospitality here,” said Bailey, 39, who was born and raised in Los Angeles and is visiting Texas for the first time. “But I love Clipper Nation. This would be the hardest decision I’d ever have to make in my life.”

The Mavericks’ initial contact with Bailey occurred Jan. 12 at Staples Center, when Dallas team owner Mark Cuban approached Bailey and told him that he enjoyed his enthusiasm and unbridled support of the team. Cuban then asked Bailey if he would consider providing that type of energy for the Mavericks.

Bailey runs a car customizing business in Los Angeles but he said that if a position with the Mavericks was offered and he accepted, he would turn the business over to his father, Charles Bailey.

“He’s about to retire from the post office, so this would give him something to do so that he wouldn’t be bored,” Bailey said.

This two-week scenario has been mind-boggling, according to Bailey, who is married and has four children.

“I don’t know how this is going to turn out,” he said. “But any decision that would be made would be a family decision. I’d have to come home and think about it.”

As for tonight’s Clippers’ game at Staples Center against the Charlotte Bobcats, Bailey insisted he will be in his familiar seat, although he might arrive somewhat late after his flight from Dallas.

“I haven’t missed a game since I’ve become a season-ticket holder,” he said. “This will be 285 in a row, tonight.”

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