Mark Cuban said that he was only addressing the realities of an increasingly media-driven, celebrity-obsessed culture.

In a TV interview, he suggested that criminal charges against NBA star Kobe Bryant could translate into a money and ratings bonanza for the league and media companies. True or not, the Mavericks owner touched off a public debate that seemed likely to last several news cycles.

Mr. Bryant, 24, a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, faces a felony sexual-assault charge involving a 19-year-old woman who worked at a Colorado resort where Mr. Bryant stayed last month. He is to be arraigned Wednesday on the charge in Eagle, Colo.

Mr. Cuban originally addressed the issue last week in an Associated Press story, but the story gained new life after an interview with Access Hollywood.

"From a business perspective, it's great for the NBA," Mr. Cuban told the syndicated television show that focuses primarily on entertainment news. "It's reality television; people love train-wreck television and you hate to admit it, but that is the truth, that's the reality today."