TMZ shares that Kobe Bryant has apologized to the president of a gay rights organization for shouting a gay slur at the referee during Tuesday night’s game. Upon catching wind of the news, NBA commissioner David Stern fined the basketball star $100,000, and the GLAAD advocacy group immediately expressed their disgust at Kobe’s inappropriate action.
“Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable,” says Stern, “While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated.”
GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios commented: “The NBA has sent a clear message to sports fans everywhere that anti-gay slurs have no place in the game.”
Although Kobe has stated that the slur does “not reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities,” the jury in the court of public opinion is still out.