NBA fines Bryant $100,000 for gay slur (AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Kobe Bryant(notes) has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for using
a derogatory gay term in frustration over a referee’s call.

NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the disciplinary action Wednesday,
saying the distasteful term used by Bryant should never be tolerated.

The five-time NBA champion guard cursed and used a common homophobic slur
when referee Bennie Adams called a technical foul on him Tuesday night in the
third quarter of Los Angeles’ win over the Spurs. He also punched a chair and
threw a towel during the outburst.

Gay rights groups condemned Bryant’s actions and demanded a full apology
after Bryant issued a statement explaining his words came out of anger. Bryant
has 15 technical fouls this season.