NBA Fines Rudy Gobert $ 100K for Suggesting Refs Were Influenced by Gambling

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Xenia Luch

12 March 2024

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Rudy Gobert

Pictured: Rudy Gobert making ‘money sign’ 

Rudy Gobert, center for the Minnesota Timberwolves, has been fined $100,000 by the NBA after he gestured in a way that suggested referees could be influenced by gambling interests, as reported by the Washington Post.

The incident unfolded during a tense moment in the Timberwolves-Cavaliers matchup, where Gobert was charged with a foul. 

In protest, Gobert made the ‘money sign’, suggesting the call was financially motivated.

Post-game, Gobert alluded to the negative impact of gambling on the NBA, hinting at a possible influence on in-game decisions. This gesture and his comments pointed directly at the referee’s integrity.

The NBA’s response was to issue a fine significantly higher — $100,000 — than the usual $25,000 for such infractions, possibly influenced by Gobert’s previous criticisms of officiating.