MIAMI (AP) — Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for “using a derogatory and offensive term” while interacting with a fan from the bench during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.
Noah apologized again for the remark on Monday and says he will accept the consequences.
Television cameras captured Noah saying an expletive, followed by an anti-gay slur. Noah said he did not realize the gravity of the situation until he was questioned by reporters after the game Sunday, adding that he meant “no disrespect” to anyone.
Last month, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was fined $100,000 for directing the same slur toward a referee. The NBA says Bryant’s fine was higher because it also included a sanction for verbally abusing a game official.
