Just last month, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for yelling a homophobic slur at a referee. Bryant later released a statement saying, “My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”
Yet, NBA Commissioner David Stern said, "While I'm fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated... 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."
While there may be no place for derogatory comments, they appear to be taking place at lightning speed in a disturbing trend. Regarding acceptance of different sexual orientations in society, some consider the sports world to be trailing behind. Phoenix Suns president and CEO Rick Welts, who recently revealed to the public that he is gay, told The New York Times, "This is one of the last industries where the subject is off limits… Nobody's comfortable in engaging in a conversation."
UPDATE: Noah apologized for allegedly using a gay slur toward a fan during Miami's Game 3 victory on Sunday night.
WATCH Joakim Noah caught on camera (warning, profanity):
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