the backlash continues to build behind the nfl’s decision to fine brett favre a mere $50,000 for sexual harassment during his time with the new york jets — and for good reason. nobody likes to see offensive behavior tolerated on any level. there seems to be a different level of discomfort in those instances where celebrities are sheltered from appropriate punishment. while $50,000 is a solid year’s salary for many americans, the fine is the slightest of punishments for favre at just short of one third of one percent of his $16,000,000 contract for the 2010 season. yes — just .003125. what a joke.
what is the nfl hoping to communicate with this? their brand is taking a serious beating. today, two masseuses (also affiliated with the jets) stepped forward with accusations of additional harassment from favre. this is not going to go away. clearly, the delays and final result of the nfl’s decision are not going far enough to address what is not a small issue. the nfl could attempt to clean up their image by admitting they made a mistake and upping the fine. they could also cite new information that justifies the escalation in admonishment. sadly, they will likely do neither. professional sports management has a long and ineffective record when it comes to moving swiftly or punishing harshly.
to be fair to the nfl, fining celebrity players a small amount for serious crimes that transcend the game is not a new thing. one of the great travesties in sports fines history occurred on august 22, 1965 when baseball pitching great juan marichal was fined just $1,750 for bashing catcher john roseboro squarely over the head with a baseball bat during an in-game brawl. the fine was the equivalent of two games’ pay — just short of 3% of marichal’s $60,000 salary. roseboro could easily have been killed as a result of the incident.
