NBA Commish Stern Fines Cavs’ Owner Gilbert

Thursday, 15 July 2010 09:00

Following LeBron James’ hype filled announcement that he’s signing with the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers’ owner Dan Gilbert lashed back with a scathing letter on the team’s website. Hopefully it took a ‘load off his mind’ but it definitely took some weight out of his wallet—on Monday, he was fined $100,000 for his comments by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Stern also indicated that Gilbert should stay mum about what transpired unless he wanted to receive another hit to his wallet.

Gilbert was understandably upset not only at James’ decision but at the ESPN TV special and general hoopla surrounding the decision. He may have taken it a little too far, however, since at various points he accused James of ‘quitting’ during the playoffs as well as calling him ‘cowardly’ and ‘narcissistic’. His most egregious violation could have been his breech of good Internet manners by calling out his former superstar in ALL CAPS, claiming that Cleveland would win a NBA title "BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE."

And as if the $100k hit to his wallet not enough, Gilbert had to endure the criticism of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The self styled arbiter on all forms of racial issues, Jackson manages to find ‘offense’ in any major event that will get his name in the papers. In this case, he even tried to put some words in Gilbert’s mouth by suggesting that he viewed LeBron James as a ‘runaway slave’:

"He speaks as an owner of LeBron and not the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality. He sees LeBron as a runaway slave. This is an owner employee relationship -- between business partners -- and LeBron honored his contract."

Sports writers were quick to point out that most ‘runaway slaves’ weren’t fleeing nine figure contracts to play basketball, and Gilbert hit Jackson back in the way it would hurt the most—by refusing to stoop to his level:

"I strongly disagree with Rev. Jesse Jackson's recent comments and we are not going to engage in any related discussion on it. Going forward, we're very excited about the Cavaliers and the positive future of our region."

Curiously, Stern was very vague about what exactly Gilbert had said to draw the fine. He said initially that "he was completely correct in expressing his disappointment" but then said that some of the comments were "a little bit extreme.” He also took the opportunity to placate the always indignant Reverend Jackson:

"However well-meaning Jesse may be in the premise on this one, he is, as he rarely is, mistaken. And I would have told him so had he called me before he issued his statement, rather than this morning. But he is a good friend of the NBA and our players. Has worked arduously on many good causes and we work together in many matters."

Gilbert and Stern are currently in Las Vegas at the NBA’s annual owners’ meeting. Gilbert hasn’t made public comment on his fine, but has indicated that he’s done commenting on the LeBron James situation.

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NBA Commish Stern Fines Cavs’ Owner Gilbert

NBA Commish Stern Fines Cavs’ Owner Gilbert

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