Brawl Update
Mood:  happy
Topic: Sports

"Ron Artest was suspended for the rest of the season Sunday, and two of his Indiana Pacers teammates must miss a total of 55 games for fighting with fans during a melee that broke out at the end of a game against the Detroit Pistons.

"Overall, the NBA issued some of the harshest penalties in its history by banning nine players for more than 140 games. Artest's suspension is the strongest ever levied for a fight during a game.

"...All of the suspensions are without pay. Artest will lose approximately $5 million in salary, while O'Neal's suspension will cost him nearly 25 percent of his $14.8 million salary for the current season."

Ouch. We haven't heard the last however.

"Players union director Billy Hunter, calling the penalties excessive, said an appeal would be filed with Stern on Monday."

The agents of the players involved, other players andthe Pacers' owner also said the suspensions were excessive.

"Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said he did not condone the fight, but 'we do consider the action taken Sunday by the National Basketball Association to be unprecedented and inappropriate based on the circumstances.' "

I don't think the suspensions are excessive, but hopefully some of the Detroit fans don't escape punishment of some sort. Security was increased at the Piston game today with Charlotte.