41. Marshawn Lynch Goes Double Or Nothing
Year of Fine: 2014
Est. Fine Total: $100,000*
It’s no secret that Marshawn Lynch has had a history of privacy. During his playing days, he didn’t spend much time giving interviews or disclosing personal tidbits. Lynch focussed his attention on what needed to be done on the field. Unfortunately, NFL teams have a different idea of what’s important.
Marshawn Lynch Goes Double Or Nothing @LWinthorpeIII /Twitter
For not speaking to reporters at a press event, Marshawn Lynch was fined $50,000. As proof of his desire to avoid the media at all costs, Lynch incurred a second $50,000 penalty for being a man of few words at yet another presser later in the season.
42. Dennis Rodman Takes On Mormonism
Year of Fine: 1997
Est. Fine Total: $50,000*
No matter who Dennis Rodman chooses as friends or which designer he went with for his wedding dress in 1996, nothing can ever take away from the greatness of his play on the basketball court. However, Rodman’s flare for the dramatic would occasionally get on people’s nerves. Like his record-setting fine in ’97.
Dennis Rodman Takes On Mormanism @people/Pinterest
People were used to Rodman crossing lines, but religion-bashing was always thought to be off-limits – and rightly so. The Mormon community was the unfortunate recipient of Rodman’s offensive rant, something the NBA was not willing to watch idly. The $50,000 “The Worm” was fined for his comments was a record at the time but just a fraction of the endorsement deal he had signed with Nike years earlier.
43. The NFL Snaps Back At Urlacher’s Choice In Hats
Year of Fine: 2006
Est. Fine Total: $100,000*
It’s crazy to think that the NFL actually fined former Chicago Bears’ linebacker Brian Urlacher $100,000 for wearing the wrong hat. Especially because football players wear helmets, not hats. But that’s what happened when Urlacher wore a snapback hat during a press event that featured the Vitaminwater Brand — which was not a sponsor of the NFL at the time.
The NFL Snaps Back At Urlacher’s Choice In Hats @Graham Bensinger/Youtube
It would be understandable if he wore a jersey from Dick’s instead of league-issued apparel on the field, but $100,000 for sporting a hat of choice at a presser seems a little excessive.
44. Anderson Silva Avoids The Press At A Price
Year of Fine: 2013
Est. Fine Total: $50,000*
UFC fighters are the closest thing to modern-day gladiators you could find. They put themselves through some of the most rigorous training in sports. And it’s all so they can get in a cage and beat the living daylights out of each other in front of thousands of fans, with little to no regard for their own well-being.
Anderson Silva Avoids The Press At A Price ©Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images
When it comes down to it, as outspoken as some of them are, professional fighters do not come across as the type of athletes who relish in the media’s spotlight. That being said, blowing off a media event in 2013 cost legendary fighter Anderson “The Spider” Silva $50,000.
45. Alastair Lynch Goes Out Swinging
Year of Fine: 2004
Est. Fine Total: $15,000*
In yet another example of the brutality of Australian football and the lack of fines implemented to keep the violence minimal, we go back to a match between Brisbane and Port Adelaide in 2004. Brisbane forward Alastair Lynch got into what can only be described as a schoolyard brawl with Adelaide’s Darryl Wakelin.
Alastair Lynch Goes Out Swinging ©Flickerd/Wikimedia Commons
The two men were at each other all match, and it eventually came to punches being thrown. Lynch threw more punches, landed more punches, and received a more significant fine and penalty. Still, the fine for an in-game brawl was just $15,000 and a 10-game suspension.
46. Las Vegas Raiders Can’t Stick To Protocol
Year of Fine: 2021
Est. Fine Total: $800,000*
Their first season in Las Vegas was meant to be a celebration. Unfortunately, the NFL’s Raiders’ big homecoming was postponed a year due to capacity limits and guidelines set out by the NFL, imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. A handful of Raiders players and coaches deliberately broke protocol that season, warranting a fine from the league.
Las Vegas Raiders Can’t Stick To Protocol ©Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Whether they agree with the rules or not, as public figures, athletes and coaches need to lead by example. Because of the Raiders’ actions, the league set the example this time. Fining Las Vegas’ new team $800,000 for disregarding public health guidelines.
47. Jim Irsay’s DUI
Year of Fine: 2014
Est. Fine Total: $500,000*
Team owners have been making headlines more often recently, but for all the wrong reasons. In 2014, it was Indianapolis Colts’ owner Jim Irsay who was in the spotlight, or should we say headlights? Irsay was caught driving under the influence — an offense he pled guilty to without contesting.
Jim Irsay’s DUI @JimIrsay /Twitter
Team owners are usually held in higher regard due to their roles within the leagues. As such, the fines they incur are dearer than those below them on the hierarchy. The Colts’ owner was fined half a million dollars and suspended 6 games for his DUI. That’s money he could have spent on a Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.
48. New Orleans Saints Put Bounties On Opponents’ Heads
Year of Fine: 2012
Est. Fine Total: $500,000*
In the history of professional sports, there have only been a handful of occasions that have resulted in federal court hearings and litigation. It takes a serious offense for the courts to get involved, and 2009’s “Bountygate” was close to as serious as you get.
New Orleans Saints Put Bounties On Opponents’ Heads @john_siglerr/Twitter
For their part in orchestrating a pay-to-injure program for the team’s players, New Orleans Saints’ Defensive Coordinator was suspended indefinitely, and their head coach was given a 1-year suspension. As for the organization, the Saints were fined $500,000 and had their 2012 and 2013 2nd round draft picks taken away.
49. FIFA Has An Issue With Nicklas Bendtner’s Drawers
Year of Fine: 2012
Est. Fine Total: $126,000*
Sporting events like Wimbledon have well-documented dress codes athletes must abide by. Something most of the public is not aware of is that professional sports leagues also have dress codes. Such codes gently push athletes of the given league to wear league-sponsored brands exclusively.
FIFA Has An Issue With Nicklas Bendtner’s Drawers ©Paul Gilham/Getty Images
As Nicklas Bendtner found out during Euro 2012, league-approved clothing applies to undergarments as well. The Danish soccer player was fined $126,000 for wearing the wrong brand of underwear. If Nicklas had been sporting Ralph Laurens or Calvin Kleins, perhaps FIFA would have been a bit lighter on the fine?
51. Clinton Portis and Sean Taylor Can’t Seem To Match
Year of Fine: 2004
Est. Fine Total: $10,000/each*
It’s not very often college teammates have the opportunity to play in the pros together, but it does happen. In 2004, former Miami Hurricanes Clinton Portis and Sean Taylor found themselves suiting up together for the then-Washington Redskins. The U of Miami Alumni thought it would be a nice throwback to both wear red socks during a game.
Clinton Portis and Sean Taylor Can’t Seem To Match @BrianJutras/Twitter
The league thought otherwise. According to league rules, all players of a team must wear the same color uniform, including socks. This plunder cost the former ‘Canes $5,000 per red sock worn. It would have saved them money, and the embarrassment of the fines had they ordered the whole team matching novelty socks off Etsy.