WSJ: Sports Fines Are An Absolute Fraud

Thanks to Doug Antonelli for passing along an item from today's Wall Street Journal on the fraud and deception involved when big name athletes get fined for anti-social behavior (subscription required):

In the world of pro-athlete punishment, the true price of misbehavior is often negotiable and not paid in full. Unbeknownst to most fans, the fines and suspensions that leagues and teams loudly announce -- for transgressions ranging from starting a brawl to wearing a baggy uniform -- are regularly reduced or forgiven altogether. "Usually, a player only pays a portion of the fine," said attorney Jeffrey Kessler, lead lawyer for the NBA and National Football League players' unions. Leagues and teams "may make a deal to give back half the money, sometimes less, sometimes more," he says.

Among the athletes who've enjoyeed relief from a stiff fine: NBA guard Latrell Sprewell -- who actually made money on a $25,000 penalty, because a corporate sponsor stepped in to pay it and the fine was later dropped by his team -- and pitcher John Rocker, who ended up paying just $500 of the $20,000 penalty originally imposed by Major League Baseball for his remarks about minorities and homosexuals.

Amazing. More spiteful and derisive commentary later.

Eric 12:05 PM

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