In sports, expressing attitude comes with big financial penalties. (As with so many things, it’s all about the money.) Here’s what running your mouth will run you in each league.
NBA
$2,000 — Each of the first five technical fouls of the season (such as those from disrespecting an official, hating on a call, or swearing).
$3,000 — Each of the next five technical fouls. (In the playoffs, everything’s even more expensive.)
Up to $50,000 — Fouls involving fighting, including throwing a punch that doesn’t land.
NHL
$200 — Any major penalty, which usually involve physical contact.
+$100 — Major penalties (boarding, cross-checking, fighting) that cause injury to the face or head of an opponent by means of a stick.
+$200— After four major penalties in the same game.
$100 — Any minor penalty, like inciting an opponent, leaving the bench to speak with an official, use of profane or abusive language, or verbal abuse of an official.
+ a next-game suspension— After three misconduct penalties (or after two if both involved abuse of an official)
MLB
Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images.
Really depends. Some guys just get suspended for trash-talking at second, but this year Ian Kinsler of the Padres got fined a full $10,000 for arguing with an umpire whose calls he disagreed with.
