The NBA has fined Rudy Gobert $100,000, equivalent to 1/500th of his salary, for making a 'money sign' gesture towards referee Scott Foster, sparking discussions on the league's relationship with gambling. Critics argue that professional sports leagues, including the NBA, have willingly embraced the financial benefits of sports betting, making it difficult for them to maintain a moral high ground. The fine, while significant, underscores the financial disparities within the league.
Point: The NBA hit Rudy Gobert with the biggest fine it could deliver, $100,000 for the "money sign" toward Scott Foster. Counterpoint: Rudy Gobert makes $100,000 for every 9 minutes and 36 seconds of a Timberwolves game this season. (Excluding taxes. But you see the point.)
Rudy started a pandemic but gets fined for offending FanDuel
That’s a massive fine. It’s also like 1/500th of Rudy’s salary 😂 https://t.co/hQ674R1s8V
Rudy Gobert should be fined — you can’t have those implications and you can’t expect the NBA to let it go — but it doesn’t change that the NBA has embraced gambling. This stuff comes with that. The NBA & all these leagues picked from the money tree & everyone saw it.
The professional sports leagues have made the conscious decision to take the money from sports betting. They took the money and now they have to live with all of it. It’s not all bad, the outcomes, but the leagues can’t take the high road anymore. And everyone knows it.