The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) fined the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant $100,000 April 13 for "offensive and inexcusable" comments he made during the previous night's game against the San Antonio Spurs, according to CNN.
TNT cameras caught Kobe apparently calling referee Bennie Adams a "f***ing f***ot." Announcer Steve Kerr noticed, and announced on the air that TNT "might want to take the camera off him right now, for the children watching."
"What I said last night should not be taken literally," Bryant said in a statement April 13. "My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do not reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were not meant to offend anyone." However, said NBA Commissioner David Stern in a statement, "Kobe Bryant's comment during last night's game was offensive and inexcusable.
Anti-gay organizations had demanded that Bryant apologize. In a statement, Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) said, "What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching."
HRC welcomed the fine. However, the organization added, "While Bryant acknowledged the outburst earlier today and said in a statement it did 'not reflect my feelings toward the gay and lesbian communities,' he failed to apologize or to take full responsibility for the homophobic slur."
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ( GLAAD ) , which had asked the Lakers "to educate their fans about why this word is unacceptable," also praised Stern's move. "The NBA has sent a clear message to sports fans everywhere that anti-gay slurs have no place in the game," said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. "When such a prolific cultural institution like the NBA speaks out against hateful words, we are reminded that fair-minded Americans are siding with equality for all. This decision will serve as an important precedent that will help ensure a safer, more inclusive environment for fans and players everywhere, and we look forward to continuing our dialogue with the NBA."
Footage from the game is at www.tmz.com/2011/04/13/kobe-bryant-homophic-slur-during-nba-game.