Stern action
DAVID STERN, the commisioner of the National Basketball Association, did the right thing when he imposed severe suspensions on players who assaulted fans toward the end of a game Friday night between the Indian Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. The suspensions, which will cost the players millions of dollars in lost pay, are justified as part of an effort to protect fans and players alike from similar violence in the future.
The players who received the longest suspensions crossed a line they cannot be allowed to cross: They initiated violence against spectators. Because the assaults by Pacers' Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson, and Jermaine O'Neal were replayed over and over on TV, millions of Americans witnessed an event that could have caused serious injuries. Young children at the game were seen on camera crying with fear. An elderly woman was knocked to the ground.
It is to Stern's credit that he did not try to simplify the problems exposed by this frightening incident. Even while leaving no doubt that the suspended players bear primary responsibility for actions that could result in criminal charges, Stern acknowledged that the league has an obligation to do everything possible to enforce basic rules of civility in the arenas where the games are played.
"We must redefine the bounds of acceptable conduct for fans attending our games and resolve to permanently exclude those who overstep those bounds," Stern said. "Participants in and around the court must be assured complete protection from unacceptable fan behavior."
For too long, players, coaches, referees, scorers, and families at courtside have been exposed to abusive taunts and vile language. This kind of behavior in no way justifies what Artest and his teammates did when they attacked spectators Friday night. Ethically as well as legally, the fact that a fan threw a paper cup containing ice at Artest while he reclined on the scorer's table does not excuse his resort to violence. Nevertheless, the owners of NBA franchises owe it to their customers to provide safe and civilized surroundings for the expensive spectacle the league is selling.
If Stern and the NBA owners want an example of how to enhance security and civility at their games, they could hardly do better than to emulate what the New England Patriots have done since Robert Kraft purchased the team. Fans entering the stadium in Foxborough are patted down at the turnstiles, security teams in the stands are swift to stop rowdy behavior, and season ticket holders lose their seats for the first violation of stadium rules. And the players whom coach Bill Belichick brings to New England have nothing in common with Ron Artest.
Such practices could work as well for other sports and other cities.
