Tweeting can be an expensive habit or mistake when you happen to be part of professional sporting outfit. And NBA owner Micky Arison of the Miami Heat recently dug a $500,000 hole into his pockets after he used Twitter to vent his frustration over a fan-made comment about the NBA lockout.
Mr. Arison apparently became incensed after a fan tweeted: “how does it feel to be a part of ruining the best game in the world? NBA owners/players don’t give a damn about fans and guess what? Fans provide all the money you are fighting over, you greedy (#@*@#) pigs”. Arison of course took offence to the fan’s rant and responded rather coolly that the fan was “barking at the wrong owner”. The NBA didn’t like the response and for that Mr. Arison was hit with a 500K fine—the largest ever levied against an owner.The lockout has without a doubt caused tensions between players and owners, but the tweet made by that particular fan shows the extent to which those who observe the game are annoyed. What’s perhaps even more tragic for the sport is that despite the tacit acknowledgment that ‘fans’ are as big a part of the system itself, there’s little progress being made regarding ending the stalemate.
I am sure Mr. Arison can afford to pay the fine and possibly learnt his lesson, but when all is said and done, there’s still no ball bouncing on the courts and this needs to change—soon.
Who do you think should be blamed fro the lockout, players or the owners? Share your views using the comments below.
source: http://www.sitetrail.com/2011/11/06/nba-team-owner-fined-500000-for-tweeting/