Cam Thomas was fined for saying “no homo” during a live TV broadcast, which is a derogatory and dehumanizing phrase.
The NBA fined Cam Thomas $40,000 for using a homophobic slur
Spencer Dinwiddie said that the Brooklyn Nets only sign the “best-looking” players. Thomas was responding to what Dinwiddie said.
Cam Thomas: "We already had good looking guys, no homo."pic.twitter.com/2SAsuq36EX
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 10, 2023
Cam Thomas, in good humor, remarked that the team “already had good-looking guys, no homo,” referring to the homophobic remark.
A common way for straight men to disavow any suggestion of homosexuality or bisexuality, or even just the idea of complimenting another man, is to use this phrase.
Despite its frequent humorous application, the phrase can also be heard in settings where homosexuality is stigmatized or viewed negatively.
An NBA fan from a year ago tallied the number of homophobic tweets still visible on the accounts of 36 active players and found 17 instances of “no homo.”
The supporter claimed that: “‘No homo’ as a phrase promotes a negative connotation in regards to gay men, as if we are less-than. It’s still extremely harmful and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to wake up.”
Joe Dumars, the executive vice-president of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the governing body of basketball, announced the hefty fine of $40,000. He cited “derogatory and disparaging language” as the reason.
The 21-year-old shooting guard had previously apologized on social media for his “insensitive” language after his team’s win against the Chicago Bulls on February 9.
“I was excited about the win and was being playful,” he wrote. “I definitely didn’t intend to offend anyone, but realise that I probably did. My apologies again.”
I want to apologize for the insensitive word I used in the post-game interview. I was excited about the win and was being playful. I definitely didn't intend to offend anyone, but realize that I probably did. My apologies again. Much love 🫶🏽❤️
— Cam Thomas (@24_camthomas) February 10, 2023
Cam Thomas, who signed with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, was the first player in NBA history to receive a fine, but similar sanctions have been handed out in the past.
Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves was fined $40,000 in September 2016 for an Instagram post in which he referred to a group of men as “queer-ass n****s.”
After the NBA looked into his comments, he apologized for being “immature” and “disrespectful.”
“It’s unacceptable for me or anyone to use that language in such a hurtful way, there’s no excuse for it, at all,” Edwards said.
