NBA has given Gobert “highest possible fine” under new collective bargaining agreement that took effect last year
Minnesota Timberwolves’ centre Rudy Gobert was served with a $100,000 fine by the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Sunday after a gesture he made during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
According to CBS Sports, his gesture implied that a referee was improperly influenced by gambling and was making calls accordingly.
Gobert, 31, rubbed his fingers together to make a money-sign gesture which he directed toward referee Scott Foster after he was called for a technical foul in the last few seconds of regulation during Friday’s game.
A second referee issued a technical foul granting a free throw to the Cavaliers, which sent the game into overtime with the Cavs winning.
According to the Athletic, in an interview after the game, Gobert said that he thought gambling was “hurting our game”.
He added: “I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
The Hill reported that the NBA has given Gobert the “highest possible fine” under the new collective bargaining agreement that took effect last year.
Addressing Gobert’s fourth time getting fined for public criticism of officials, the NBA said that the fine “takes into account Gobert’s past instances of conduct detrimental to the NBA with regard to publicly criticising the officiating.”
They continued by acknowledging that Gobert directed “an inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official” and publicly criticised the referee.
