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May 24, 2011 |

Category: Call It Out, Illinois, Chicago, Blog, Sports

NBA Fines Joakim Noah $50,000 for Homophobic Slur

For the second time in a matter of weeks, NBA commissioner David Stern has fined a player for using a homophobic slur on the court - this time to Chicago Bulls Center, Joakim Noah.  Noah hurled the slur at a heckling fan after receiving his second foul in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

HRC President Joe Solmonese had the following to say regarding Stern's swift action:

“We’re impressed by the NBA’s precedent-setting effort to eliminate gay slurs on the court.  We are seeing a new conversation beginning in the world of sports, where a growing number of pro-athletes are publicly standing up for equality.”

Last month, Commissioner Stern fined LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant $100,000 for using the same slur after receiving a technical foul. Like Bryant, Noah quickly apologized after the game.