Life

NBA player Anthony Edwards fined $40,000 for posting homophobic video

By Kira Richards

21st September 2022

Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards has been fined $40,000 (£31,100) after using homophobic language in a social media post.

The 21-year-old has been fined by the NBA for a video he posted to his Instagram account, where he has 1,200,000 followers.

In the video, Edwards could be seen rolling down his car window and calling a group of men “queer-ass n****s,” according to The Guardian.

Edwards deleted the video due to the social media backlash.

He then issued an apology via Twitter on 11 September.

“What I said was immature, hurtful, and disrespectful, and I’m incredibly sorry,” wrote the sportsman.

“It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it, at all. I was raised better than that!”

A statement released by the NBA on 20 September confirmed that Edwards received the fine.

His remarks were branded “offensive and derogatory” by the organisation.

The statement added that the basketball player “acknowledged that his actions were inappropriate.”

President of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tim Connelly, said: “We are disappointed in the language and actions Anthony Edwards displayed on social media.”

“The Timberwolves are committed to being an inclusive and welcoming organisation for all and apologise for the offence this has caused to so many.”

The NBA is known for its zero-tolerance stance on homophobic, racist or otherwise discriminatory language from members of the organisation, including players.

Edwards is not the first high-profile basketball player to receive a fine for offensive language.

Several major NBA players have received hefty fines for homophobic language in previous years.