Kobe Bryant Fined $100,000 For Use Of Anti-Gay Slur

Kobe Bryant, the L.A. Lakers’ superstar basketball player who Tuesday night in a game against the Spurs used an extremely offensive anti-gay slur, tonight was fined $100,000 by NBA Commissioner David Stern. Bryant, who claimed he was “frustrated,” called a referee a “fucking fag,” and earlier today issued what many say was not an apology but a “non-apology,” saying “What I said last night should not be taken literally.” It’s unclear how the term “fag” could be taken non-literally.

Watch: “Kobe Bryant Calls Ref A “Fucking Fag” On Camera (Video)“

“Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and  inexcusable,” said Commissioner Stern, who added, “While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have  fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that  insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) immediately responded to the statement by Stern. “We applaud Commissioner Stern and the NBA for not only fining Bryant but for recognizing that slurs and derogatory comments have no place on the basketball court or in society at large, “ said Joe Solmonese, HRC President. “We hope such swift and decisive action will send a strong and universal message that this kind of hateful outburst is simply inexcusable no matter what the context.”

The $100,000 fine appears to be considerable. This season, the NBA has several times fined players $25,000 to $35,000 for verbal abuse of a referee.