Mike Brown is fined again! Just in January 2024, the Sacramento Kings head coach faced hefty sanctions due to his outburst in a 143-142 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He had aggressively confronted a referee during live play which led the league to hit Brown with a $50,000 fine. Afterward, he criticized the calls in a postgame interview, fueling the NBA’s decision to penalize him. Joe Dumars, the NBA’s head of basketball operations, deemed his actions as a violation of league conduct, but here he goes again.

We know what’s happening with the Kings in the current season. The team struggled with four back-to-back losses, dropping to an 8-10 record early this season. And now, their HC Brown has found himself back in the NBA’s crosshairs. This time, it’s with a $35,000 fine, following an altercation with a referee in the Kings’ 108-103 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Brown was assessed a technical foul after confronting the official over what he believed was biased officiating favoring the Nets. The fine, while significant, came without an ejection or suspension, leaving some to see it as a relatively light penalty given the circumstances.

The two fines together make Brown’s total penalty $85,000. For a coach whose team is underperforming, these fines are setting a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining composure, especially when frustrations are running high. With this, you might think, what later happens to the fine money collected and on what basis is the fine even given?

Inside the NBA’s Ejection and Suspension Rules: What Gets You Kicked Out or Suspended

When NBA players/coaches get ejected or suspended, people often debate whether the league’s actions were justified or where the money especially goes during high-stakes moments. The NBA’s rulebook is clear on actions that lead to ejections, with eight major offenses outlined, including punching fouls, fighting, and flagrant fouls. A player can also be ejected for two technical fouls, unsportsmanlike conduct, or excessive criticism of officials. The league quickly responds to fights, as any player throwing a punch or engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct is immediately ejected and can face a suspension.

The NBA’s ejection rules:-

The NBA’s official rulebook lists eight actions that will automatically result in an ejection:

• Punching foul
• Fighting foul
• Technical foul for an attempted punch or swing with no contact
• Technical foul for a thrown elbow toward an opponent above shoulder level with no contact
• Deliberately entering the stands other than as a continuance of play
• Flagrant foul penalty two
• Second flagrant foul penalty one
• Participation in the game when not on team’s active list

Ejections also cover lesser-known infractions. For instance, throwing objects at officials or into the stands results in a technical foul and ejection. Flagrant foul penalties are particularly severe, with a flagrant two resulting in an automatic ejection and a fine of at least $2,000. Once ejected, a player must leave the playing area immediately, remain in the locker room until the game ends, or face a fine of up to $50,000.

In addition to in-game ejections, the NBA has a set of suspension rules for serious violations. Players can be suspended for violent offenses like fighting or felony convictions. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse allegations are handled case-by-case, with suspensions and fines imposed as necessary. The NBA also enforces an anti-drug program, suspending players for drug-related violations.

Interestingly, fines from the NBA don’t go directly into the league’s pockets. Instead, the money is split between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), which uses it for charitable causes. Players with more than three years of experience can request matching grants for non-profits they support, ensuring the fine money serves a greater good.

For coaches like Mike Brown, who have recently faced significant fines, it’s not just about the game—it’s about setting an example. As for the league, striking the right balance between enforcing rules and ensuring fairness remains a critical challenge, one that could shape its future approach to discipline and integrity.