4. Ron Artest: Hatred at the Palace
Year of Fine: 2004
Est. Fine Total: $5 million*
An on-court altercation between Ron Artest and Ben Wallace (of the rival Detroit Pistons) resulted in Artest storming into the seats to fight a fan, making it one of the most notorious moments in basketball history. During the initial altercation, a fan accidentally spilled his beer on Artest.
Because of his involvement in the “Malice at the Palace” altercation, Artest was fined $5 million and suspended for the remainder of the season. Additionally, anger management counseling was mandated for him. The incident resulted in tighter regulations to stop similar incidents from happening in the future and altered the way NBA games were called.
5. Bill Belichick faced penalties for recording critics.
2007 is the Year of Fine.
Total Estimated Fine: $50000*
The New England Patriots were discovered filming the New York Jets’ sidelines during the opening game of the 2007 season—an incident that is now well recognized in the sports world as “Spygate.” Naturally, this is against the NFL’s rules of conduct and should have resulted in more than a punishment.
Bill Belichick was fined for recording critics’ voices
First, for his role in planning the play-steeling debacle, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was fined $500,000, and the team was penalized $250,000. For the league, however, three-quarters of a million dollars was insufficient. To further punish the Patriots and teach them the price of morality, they also lost their 2008 first-round draft selection.
6. Rodman Approaches the Groin
Year of Penalty: 1997
Total Estimated Fine: $25,000*
Of all the NBA players in history, Dennis Rodman has received more media attention off the court. But in light of this, we look to Rodman to gather himself after inadvertently falling out of bounds and trying to kick a cameraman in the crotch for attempting to record the incident.
Even though the NBA fined Rodman $25,000, it was a small amount compared to the total amount “The Worm” had to pay for the incident. In addition to Dennis’s 11-game unpaid suspension, Rodman and the cameraperson reached an out-of-court settlement of $200,000. A little over $1.1 million was lost by the Bulls star after he lost his temper and tried to punt someone for obstructing his path.
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