Sonics Owner fined $250K for comment...

[oliegirl]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines


I didn't see anything on this, I just saw the story and am really perplexed on how the NBA can impose this fine. Basically the new owner of the Sonics told the media in OK City that their "plan" was to move the team to OK, but they aren't sure if that is what is going to happen. Then the NBA fines him $250K???? What am I missing?

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by oliegirl

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines


I didn't see anything on this, I just saw the story and am really perplexed on how the NBA can impose this fine. Basically the new owner of the Sonics told the media in OK City that their "plan" was to move the team to OK, but they aren't sure if that is what is going to happen. Then the NBA fines him $250K???? What am I missing?

The NBA is still trying to figure out what their explanation is. As I said in the other thread. Honesty has its costs

[oliegirl]

Oops - didn't see the other thread...sorry!

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by oliegirl

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/s...=ESPNHeadlines


I didn't see anything on this, I just saw the story and am really perplexed on how the NBA can impose this fine. Basically the new owner of the Sonics told the media in OK City that their "plan" was to move the team to OK, but they aren't sure if that is what is going to happen. Then the NBA fines him $250K???? What am I missing?

The NBA has wide latitude in assessing fines to teams. Basically, they're fining him because his comments will make things much, much harder for the league - those comments are going a long way towards assuring that the City of Seattle will fight any relocation attempts by this ownership group and sue to enforce the existing arena lease (they now have conclusive ammo that this ownership group hasn't been negotiating in good faith), and have severely compromised existing attempts locally to find a mutually acceptable arena solution.

It was an honest statement, but also, tactically, a very dumb one. This is Stern's way of saying "Shut the fuck up you raging moron".

[14ers]

Originally Posted by dawgfan

The NBA has wide latitude in assessing fines to teams. Basically, they're fining him because his comments will make things much, much harder for the league

Is this really a written rule, or is this a wild guess? Is there really a written rule that says "Anything that makes Stern's job harder can be fined in the NBA"?


I hope he fights it.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by 14ers

Is this really a written rule, or is this a wild guess? Is there really a written rule that says "Anything that makes Stern's job harder can be fined in the NBA"?


I hope he fights it.

I am pretty sure there is a general rule that the comissioner has the authority to discipline anyone who says or does something that is not in the "best interests of the league." Now if the rules are anything like they are for the players, the appeal authority in these matters is......David Stern.