Insider makes bold claim about Morant's suspension

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Troy Brown Jr. (7) defends. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Insider: Ja Morant's suspension as bad as any in 'history of professional sports' financially

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 6/16/23

ESPN's Brian Windhorst called Ja Morant's 25-game suspension "as bad of a penalty as we've seen in the history of professional sports," financially speaking, during a Friday appearance on "First Take."

Windhorst said that's taking into account possible lost sponsorships and taking away likely All-NBA honors that would've given him millions more, among other things. Windhorst added that the financial ramifications of the NBA's decision are "crushing."

"[Ja Morant] is at least looking at $50M in losses. ... It's as bad of a penalty as we've seen in the history of professional sports."

—@WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/dndV7RlK2S
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 16, 2023

ESPN's Bobby Marks broke down the numbers inside the suspension.

The 25-game Ja Morant suspension will cost $7.6M.

$304,545 for every game missed

Morant is entering year 1 of a $194M rookie max extension that he signed last July.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 16, 2023

While there have been other players in recent decades to receive lengthier punishments, contracts for stars like Morant seemingly get larger and larger each season. Therefore, the per-game figures for suspensions are growing too.

In the wake of the announcement, Morant issued a statement on Friday morning, apologizing to "the NBA, the Grizzlies, my teammates and the city of Memphis," as well as "(NBA commissioner) Adam Silver, (Grizzlies general manager) Zach Kleiman and (Grizzlies owner) Robert Pera." The former Rookie of the Year addressed the kids who "look up to" him, writing, "I'm sorry for failing you as a role model."

Morant pledged to all of his fans that he'd "make it up" to them and said he'd be spending the offseason and suspension working on his mental health and "decision making."

The NBA Players Association issued a statement on Friday afternoon as well, calling the punishment "excessive and inappropriate."

More must-reads: