Fines

In the world of sports, and the real world I suppose, you get fined for doing bad things. Saying bad things about refs, not reporting a players injury, throwing tantrums, you name it. But the fines across the world of sports are inconsistent. Allow me to use two recent events to demonstrate.

In a US Open semi-final match between Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams, Serena was down a set and serving at 5-6 in the second, 15-30. After being called for a second serve foot fault, her blood began to boil. After a calm 10 seconds or so, Mount Serena swiftly walked towards the line judge who made the called and began pointing and yelling. Loudly. With obscenities. The line judge ran to the chair umpire, and, Serena came over along with some officials. Serena was shocked to hear that the line judge thought Serena was going to kill her. I mean, all Serena said was that she would stuff a tennis ball down her f*****g throat. And she got kill from that? (Incidentally, if you WERE to survive treatment like that, I imagine you would have a terrible scratchy throat from all those little yellow fuzz pieces).

This blow up earned Serena a $10,000 fine. I have no idea who receives that money or what it goes towards.

Moving ahead, recently Floyd "Step your game up!" Mayweather fought Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez. The stipulated weight of each fighter was to be 144 pounds. The day before the fight, Pretty Boy Floyd tipped the scales at 146. He got fined $600,000. And that money went straight to Marquez.

And here's the problem. Is Serena going to miss that 10 grand a lot? Doubt it. Is any of that money going to that line judge for emotional scarring? Doubt it. I imagine it will go straight to some giant WTA slush fund and we'll never actually know what it gets used for. More importantly, will Serena restrain herself next blow up? maybe. if she does, it will only be done for public image. It's not about the money.

Personally, I like boxing system better. 600 grand!?!?! And it goes straight to the pockets of your opponent?!?! I'd bet a good chunk of change that Mayweather hits his weight right on the money next fight, or even a pound or 2 light. Now don't feel too bad for Floyd. He won the fight and walked away with about 10 million reasons to be ok with it all.

As for the lack of posting, moot court is controlling my life right now. Talk to him about it. Or see my last post. Much love.