Where does the NBA fine money go? Joel Embiid’s $1 million forfeiture was redirected

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid gave a newspaper columnist a high-profile shove, resulting in a seven-figure donation under NBA rules.

Embiid, who got involved with Philadelphia Investigators Writer Marcus Hayes will forfeit about $1 million in salary Saturday because of his three-game, unpaid suspension. But this money is not disappearing. Instead, the NBA will treat his lost salary like a huge fine and redirect it to charity, a league official confirmed.

Half of the money will go to a nonprofit selected by the National Basketball Players Association and the other half will go to a nonprofit selected by the NBA. The allocation percentages are determined by the collective agreement ratified in 2023.

During Saturday’s incident, Embiid pushed Hayes over one after a verbal back and forth Requester story that questioned whether Embiid’s work ethic would make his son and late brother proud. The league’s basketball department reviewed the incident and announced its penalty decision on Tuesday.

“Mutual respect is paramount to the relationship between players and media in the NBA,” Joe Dumars, executive vice president of basketball operations, wrote in an NBA statement. “While we understand that Joel was offended by the personal nature of the reporter’s original version of the column, interactions on both sides must remain professional and never become physical.”

Embiid has yet to comment on his unpaid suspension. The 76ers have Tuesday night off, but will face the Los Angeles Clippers – and the media – on Wednesday.

The NBA’s fine and forfeiture model is similar to that of the NFL, which also sends money to charity. In the NFL, 50% of all fines go to the Players Assistance Trust, a program run by the NFLPA that helps retired players adjust to life after football. The other 50% goes to “non-profit organizations to be jointly determined by the NFL and the NFLPA,” according to the NFL’s CBA.

Embiid’s suspension will begin once he is cleared medically to return to court. He missed the 76ers’ first six games with a knee injury.