While some may question if the latest punishment handed out to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is severe as it needs to be, he at the very least is expected to take a major hit to his bank account from his poor decisions off the court.
One of the biggest stories in the NBA over the last few weeks was about what the punishment for Ja Morant will be after again being caught on an Instagram live toting a firearm and putting him, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the league in a bad light.
Related: Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant suspended 25 games by the NBA
The story has gotten so much coverage not just because it features a player that has the potential to be one of the faces of the league, but it only comes a few months after an eight-game suspension for brandishing a weapon on Instagram, and a serious conversation with the NBA commissioner about changing his life around.
Clearly, the message wasn’t received and some league observers wonder if the 25-game ban he was given on Friday will be enough to help Ja Morant finally grow up. Well, if missing out on over two dozen games doesn’t communicate the damage he is doing to his career, maybe losing a bunch of money will.
Ja Morant’s suspensions expected to have cost him at least $50 million
During a Friday appearance on “First Take,” ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst explained the massive financial losses Ja Morant will receive from his mistakes over the last six months.
“I will guesstimate at this point he is looking at $50 million in losses because he’s going to face no pay for these 25 games, no pay for the eight games he already had this year, and there is no doubt in my mind he would have been All-NBA had he not had the incident last season. That cost him $40 million in bonus money. It might even be closer to $60 million. Not to mention potential lost business in sponsorships.”
– Brian Windhorst
That is a huge sum of money lost, and should hopefully be enough of a wake-up call for Ja Morant. But only time will tell if it worked.