Roy Hibbert was fined $75,000 by the NBA for using “inappropriate” comments during a postgame press conference. (Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert has been fined $75,000 by the NBA for “inappropriate and vulgar language” he used in a postgame press conference after the Pacers’ 91-77 win over the Miami Heat on Saturday.
“While Roy has issued an apology, which is no doubt sincere, a fine is necessary to reinforce that such offensive comments will not be tolerated by the NBA,” NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a press release.
During the press conference, Hibbert used a gay slur and cursed. He ended a response to a question about his defense on Heat forward LeBron James with “no homo.” He also called the assembled reporters “y’all mother (expletive).”
Through the team, Hibbert issued an apology Sunday morning. He also reached out to Jason Collins, who recently became the first active NBA player to come out as gay.
“I am apologizing for insensitive remarks made during the postgame press conference after our victory over Miami Saturday night,” Hibbert said in the statement. “They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views. I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television. I apologize to those who I have offended, to our fans and to the Pacers’ organization. I sincerely have deep regret over my choice of words last night.”
