Dennis Rodman's vulgar remarks about Mormons turned out to be a costly mistake.
Basketball's bad boy was hit with a $50,000 fine, the largest in NBA history, for his derogatory comments during the NBA Finals.The fine was announced Thursday, a few hours after Rodman publicly apologized for his remarks.
"If I knew it was like a religious-type deal, I would have never said it. I'm sorry about that," Rodman said.
Last weekend, Rodman used an expletive in describing Mormons, then added another vulgarity when asked about the subject on Monday and Tuesday.
"I have indicated in previous actions that insensitive or derogatory comments involving race or other classifications are unacceptable in the NBA," commissioner David Stern said. "Dennis Rodman's comments were exactly the kind of offensive remarks that cannot be tolerated or excused."
The fine marked the third time this season the league has punished Rodman. The league's top rebounder was fined a then-record $25,000 and suspended 11 games in January for kicking a courtside photographer. He was fined another $7,500 in March for striking Milwaukee's Joe Wolf in the groin.
After the incident with the photographer, Stern warned Rodman that more bad behavior could lead to his expulsion from the league. But that didn't prevent Rodman from getting in trouble again.
After practice Thursday, Rodman insisted he didn't mean to insult an entire religion.
"That was a bad action on my part. So we retract that," Rodman said.
"Like I said, I would have said it if we were in Houston or anything else. The people were giving me the finger and things like that. . . . I think it's kind of screwed up the league has to get involved, and everybody is putting pressure on them to fine me.
"As far as people who go to games and give me the finger, I think that's wrong, too. They call me a lot of names, the people in the stands. As far as the religion, I have no business saying anything like that, so I take that statement back."
Also Thursday, the parent company of Carl's Jr. said it would permanently pull television commercials that featured Rodman walking into a tattoo parlor with a bag of food from the fast-food restaurant.
"Carl Karcher Enterprises has stood for freedom of expression and opportunity for all races, creeds and religions for over 56 years. Derogatory comments made about any religious or racial group are inexcusable," said Robert W. Wisely, senior vice president of marketing.
"In light of Mr. Rodman's comments, we have no choice but to discontinue the ads."
Bulls coach Phil Jackson tried to explain Rodman's comments, saying he was striking out at all Utah fans rather than Mormons in particular.
"To Dennis, a Mormon may just be a nickname for people from Utah. He may not even know it's a religious cult or sect or whatever it is," Jackson said.
Stern has handed out three other $25,000 fines, two to Nick Van Exel of the Los Angeles Lakers for incidents involving game officials, and one to New Jersey Nets coach John Calipari $25,000 for making an ethnic slur at a reporter.