Miami Heat president Pat Riley told Dan Le Batard he would happily consider Lebron James rejoining the team if James wanted to. That comment cost him $25,000.
What We Know:
- The National Basketball Association (NBA) placed a heavy fine on Riley because his words went against its anti-tampering rule. The NBA orders that its teams, players, or coaches cannot approach or lure rival athletes bound to a contract. Remarks such as Riley’s, which stated interest in acquiring a player’s talents or contacting agents about a possible trade, count as tampering.
- Once the NBA learns about a possible tampering event, they begin investigating. The league will then determine monetary punishments based on the action’s severity. Payments can go up to a million dollars.
- Riley accidentally expressed his desire for James to return during Le Batard’s 24-hour podcast marathon on June 4th. The host asked Riley would he ever welcome Dwayne Wade back on the team; the Miami Heat president believed the question was about James. In turn, Riley declared he would “leave a key under the doormat” if James told him he would come back. He proceeded to say that “the key is rusted now.” He also acknowledged his proclamation may result in a fine.
“LeBron, look, he’s one of the greatest of all time, and for four years down here, if we want to go back and remember what those four years were like… It was the best time for the Heat. So I wish him nothing but the best, and if he ever wanted to come back, I’ll put a new shiny key under the mat,” said Riley.
- After finishing his statement, Le Batard corrected Riley and informed him the question was about Wade. Riley responded he did not hear that portion and affirmed Wade can always join the Heat again.
- James’ former teammates Wade and Chris Bosh shared their thoughts on Riley’s blunder in an appearance on The Jump. Bosh stated he thought Riley wanted the NBA to consider his comments as nonchalant; however, he also believes that there may be some truth in his words. In addition, Bosh thinks Riley might just be considering ways to win and improve the roster and ended up thinking about their “last run to the Finals.” Since Wade now works as part of the ownership of the Utah Jazz and can’t talk on the matters, he just said it’s “Pat Riley doing Pat Riley things.”
- James still has not responded to Riley’s bombshell.
The NBA legend played for the Miami Heat from 2010 until 2014. During that time, the team appeared in the NBA finals for four consecutive years. Alongside this, James helped the Heat win two straight championships in 2012 and 2013 with the help of Wade and Bosh.
