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Raptors GM Ujiri fined
Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.
All posts by Alan DraperUpdated12 hours ago on April 24, 2024
Toronto Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was fined $25,000 by the NBA for using obscene language during a pep rally before the team’s first-round playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announcement the punishment on Monday night after it was reported by multiple news outlets earlier in the day that Ujiri was issued only a formal warning for his behavior by Silver and NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn.
Ujiri apologized at halftime on Saturday and again Monday for saying “F— Brooklyn” at a gathering outside the Air Canada Centre before Game 1 against the Nets on Saturday. He said he was just trying to fire up the crowd but got carried away with his language.
“I do apologize,” he told USA Today on Monday. “It was the wrong choice of words. My mom raised me better than that.”
The Nets came away with a 94-87 victory in Game 1.
“I have a responsibility here, and my responsibility is to rally our fans and our team and be a leader who is passionate about the game and what I do and stand tall for who we are,” Ujiri said.
