Bout time some one said something. Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has become the latest NBA player to address the growing issue of fans confronting athletes over lost sports bets. During a recent appearance on Million Dollaz Worth Of Game, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP expressed frustration with how gambling culture has changed fan interactions.
“With the fans, nowadays in this era, it’s all about gambling,” Brown said. “That’s the fan engagement from now. It’s created a hostile environment almost for athletes… I can have a good game and nias still be online talking sht. But if I do happen to get on, if I do happen to just scroll, the comments be like, ‘Fk you, ni*a… if I see you in the street…’ I’m like, ‘For real?’”
Get this, Brown made it clear he won’t tolerate aggressive confrontations in person, stating firmly: “I’mma say this to the camera, if one of you parlay fkers run up on me, I’m telling you… I’mma fk you up. Try it if you want to. That’s all I’mma say.” He also revealed he trains in Muay Thai and Tai Chi, underscoring his seriousness.
His very real comments follow a 2022 incident involving Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal, who was sued by a fan after an altercation over a lost $1,300 bet. Beal, then with the Washington Wizards, reportedly struck the fan after being heckled with, “You made me lose $1,300, you fk.”
Check this part out. Court documents obtained by ESPN, Beal stated: “When you disrespect me, I’m going to press you about it,” and asked, “Do you think this is a joke? […] What are we doing?” He later added, “Keep it a buck. I don’t give a fk about none of your bets or your parlays, bro. That ain’t why I play the game.”
Addressing the incident in a press conference, Beal acknowledged fan frustrations but drew a line at personal attacks: “Nobody wants to lose money. I get it. If you keep it about sports, I’m all for it. But I think it’s when people start getting personal, talking about your family, talking about your character, your integrity towards the game. I think all of that, we can save it. We can really keep those comments to ourselves.”