On Gays Slurs and Professional Basketball
Call the Attorney at (866) 325-4529 
Free Consultation
In an intense, heated basketball game, it is expected from players of both teams to express their emotions. It is considered normal for a player to express frustration on a referee’s call which he believes is contestable. In some instances, a player from the opposing team may instead keep mum whenever a heckling fan of the home team annoys him.
However, at times, players do get carried away with their emotions during a game that they utter words that are uncalled for. There have been two incidents in two different National Basketball Association (NBA) games where two players blurted out derogatory words that refer to homosexuals.
Kobe Bryant
There is no denying that Kobe Bryant, one of the top NBA players dominating for the L.A. Lakers, has a nasty edge that go alongside his competitiveness and willingness to win a game. However, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs in April last year, he resented over referee Bennie Adams’ technical foul call against him. As he was returning to his seat, the in-game camera caught him mouthing a derogatory gay slur that starts with “f” word towards Adams.
The incident caused an outrage among the gay community, demanding Bryant to issue an apology. Bryant did so right after, saying that his comment towards the referee was ignorant and not indicative of his views towards the LGBT community. Despite this, the NBA fined him $100,000.
Joakim Noah
Noah is one of the most intimidating players at the center position for the Chicago Bulls. His intensity and hustle make him one of the most likeable players in the league. However, a month after Bryant’s gay slur mischief, Noah also did the same thing. This time, it was against a heckling fan.
During the Game 3 of the East Finals against the Miami Heat, he was forced to sit on the bench after getting his second foul in the first quarter. Seconds after sitting, a fan heckled him from behind. He then turned to his right and shouted a gay slur. He also apologized for what he had done, but the NBA nevertheless slapped him with a $50,000 fine.
Response of the LGBT Community
While both players have apologized for what happened, the gay community rightfully condemned the incidents, saying that anti-gay slurs are not to be tolerated in a professional league such as the NBA. Despite this, both parties reached out to encourage players and fans to “Think before you speak.”
Anti-gay slurs and other verbal tirades against homosexuals are nothing new in society. Gender discrimination in the workplace is a rampant problem now as it was then. The two NBA incidents last year only showed that there is more to do to help promote equality among the people, regardless of sexual orientation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mesriani Law Group
Mesriani Law Group is a full service law firm that specializes in personal injury, employment and labor, social security and disability, and business and corporate cases. Under the helm of its founder, Rodney Mesriani the firm has been successfully representing clients for more than 15 years now.
Copyright Mesriani Law Group
More information about Mesriani Law Group
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Kobe Bryant
There is no denying that Kobe Bryant, one of the top NBA players dominating for the L.A. Lakers, has a nasty edge that go alongside his competitiveness and willingness to win a game. However, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs in April last year, he resented over referee Bennie Adams’ technical foul call against him. As he was returning to his seat, the in-game camera caught him mouthing a derogatory gay slur that starts with “f” word towards Adams.
The incident caused an outrage among the gay community, demanding Bryant to issue an apology. Bryant did so right after, saying that his comment towards the referee was ignorant and not indicative of his views towards the LGBT community. Despite this, the NBA fined him $100,000.
Joakim Noah
Noah is one of the most intimidating players at the center position for the Chicago Bulls. His intensity and hustle make him one of the most likeable players in the league. However, a month after Bryant’s gay slur mischief, Noah also did the same thing. This time, it was against a heckling fan.
During the Game 3 of the East Finals against the Miami Heat, he was forced to sit on the bench after getting his second foul in the first quarter. Seconds after sitting, a fan heckled him from behind. He then turned to his right and shouted a gay slur. He also apologized for what he had done, but the NBA nevertheless slapped him with a $50,000 fine.
Response of the LGBT Community
While both players have apologized for what happened, the gay community rightfully condemned the incidents, saying that anti-gay slurs are not to be tolerated in a professional league such as the NBA. Despite this, both parties reached out to encourage players and fans to “Think before you speak.”
Anti-gay slurs and other verbal tirades against homosexuals are nothing new in society. Gender discrimination in the workplace is a rampant problem now as it was then. The two NBA incidents last year only showed that there is more to do to help promote equality among the people, regardless of sexual orientation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mesriani Law Group
Mesriani Law Group is a full service law firm that specializes in personal injury, employment and labor, social security and disability, and business and corporate cases. Under the helm of its founder, Rodney Mesriani the firm has been successfully representing clients for more than 15 years now.
Copyright Mesriani Law Group
More information about Mesriani Law Group
View all articles published by Mesriani Law Group
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
