TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kobe said the decision to appeal the fine is "standard protocol."

Kobe also said, "The concern that I have is for those that follow what I say ... look to me as a role model .. for them not to take what was said as a message of hate or a license to degrade ... or to embarrass or tease ... because that's something I don't wanna see have happen."

Kobe stated he plans to talk to gay rights groups.

NBA Commissioner David Stern says, "Kobe Bryant’s comment during last night’s game was offensive and inexcusable. "

He continues, "While I’m fully aware that basketball is an emotional game, such a distasteful term should never be tolerated. Accordingly, I have fined Kobe $100,000. Kobe and everyone associated with the NBA know that insensitive or derogatory comments are not acceptable and have no place in our game or society.”

As we previously reported, Kobe mouthed the words, "f**king f**got" after getting a technical foul during the game.

FYI -- according to Forbes.com, Kobe made an estimated $48 million last year in salary and endorsements.

The jury deadlocked on the remaining charges -- which included lying to a grand jury when he denied knowingly taking steroids -- and the judge ultimately declared a mistrial.

Bonds faces a maximum 10 years in federal prison for the obstruction of justice conviction.

TMZ spoke with Jarrett Barrios -- President of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation -- who tells us, "[Kobe's] statement is a start, but the NBA must now take action."

Barrios continues, "No matter the intent, slurs like this fuel intolerance. The NBA has a chance to show leadership by taking disciplinary measures and sending a message that words like this have no place in sports."

The GLAAD honcho adds, "All sports leagues have a responsibility to create a safe environment for fans, employees and players.“

Kobe released a statement saying he didn't mean to offend anyone when he used the words "f**king f**got" last night ... but he never really apologized for using the slur.

Kobe continues, "My actions were out of frustration during the heat of the game, period. "

He adds, "The words expressed do NOT reflect my feelings towards the gay and lesbian communities and were NOT meant to offend anyone.”

As we previously reported, Kobe mouthed the words, "f**king f**got" towards an NBA referee last night after he was hit with a technical foul.

Angela L. Cohn, the attorney for valet Rockfeller Sorel, tells us, Gloria James spewed the hateful remark just as the confrontation became physical.

Gloria was arrested after the incident, and TMZ just broke the story that the valet is suing her for assault and battery.

As for our earlier story showing video of the confrontation, Cohn says any intimation that the valet was the aggressor is untrue.

As we first reported, cops in Bayonne, NJ attempted to pull Britt over for speeding -- when the NFLer allegedly put the pedal to the metal in an effort to outrun them.

Cops say Kenny eventually stopped after a few miles -- and was arrested and booked on three charges: eluding, obstructing, and hindering apprehension.

Kenny's passenger -- who allegedly took off on foot during questioning -- was arrested for pot possession, resisting arrest, and obstruction.

Our NBA sources say league execs are taking a closer look at last night's game footage -- where Kobe is seen mouthing what looks very much like, "F**king fa**ot."

It's unclear what kind of punishment the league could bring down on Kobe ... but suspension or a fine is a dangerous possibility with the playoffs about to start.

Rockfeller Sorel claims in his lawsuit ... Gloria James had no right to strike him during the incident last week.

TMZ has obtained video of the incident, which shows Gloria striking Sorel, but only after he approaches and appears to touch her.

TMZ spoke with the Human Rights Campaign -- who told us, "What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching."

The group adds, "Hopefully Mr. Bryant will recognize that as a person with such fame and influence, the use of such language not only offends millions of LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender] people around the world, but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate that all of us, most notably Mr. Bryant, should be working to eradicate."

As we previously reported, Kobe appeared to have mouthed the words "f**king f**got" towards an NBA ref last night after he was hit with a technical foul.

It happened during the 3rd quarter after Kobe got hit with a technical foul. The NBA star -- clearly upset -- screams for the ref (Bennie Adams) and appears to mouth the words, "F**king f**got."

One of the announcers then comments, "You might wanna take the cameras off of him right now, for the children watching."

UPDATE: A rep for the team tells us, "The Lakers can not confirm that is what Kobe said or not."

During the encounter ... Gloria walks up to the valet, Rockfeller Sorel, and gets in his face over the parking situation. As Gloria verbally unloads, Rockfeller takes an advancing step towards Gloria and bumps her.

Gloria quickly recovers and unleashes the slap heard 'round the world with her left hand -- and then swings her purse at the guy's head with her right hand.

Sorel, clearly upset, takes several aggressive steps towards Gloria ... who then slips and falls while retreating.

Gloria gets off the ground and tries to go after the valet -- but several bystanders get in between the two and break it up.

Gloria was eventually arrested for battery and public intoxication -- and then, according to police, she started talking trash to one of the officers.

We called Gloria's Miami attorneys Christopher Lyons and Sandy Becher -- they declined to comment on the video or the matter at this time.

It's all over a billboard display in one of KK's locations in Augusta, GA -- erected to commemorate Phil's infamous visit to the same doughnut shop after he won the 2010 Masters tournament.

According to our doughnut sources, Phil's camp was PISSED ... because no one got the man's approval before plastering his image all over the display.

We're told one of Phil's associates even paid a little visit to the KK in question last week to make sure employees removed every last picture -- and threatened legal action if they didn't.

Mick -- who serves as a board member for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network -- is on a brand new fundraising campaign ... and has offered to mow the lawn of ANYONE who donates $5,000 to the organization.

In fact, just yesterday -- the TNA Wrestling star was slicing away in a yard near Baltimore.

If you don't have a lawn -- Mick still wants to encourage people to donate ... and says he will match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 throughout the month of April.

Have a nice day.

Police in Bayonne, NJ tell TMZ they attempted to pull over Kenny -- a former 1st round pick and Rutgers star -- for speeding around 4:30PM on Tuesday, but he allegedly hit the gas and kicked off the chase.

Bayonne PD says after a few miles, Kenny just stopped and he and his passenger attempted to walk away from the car. During questioning, officers say the passenger tried to bolt on foot -- FAIL. Officers arrested him for alleged possession of marijuana and resisting arrest.

Kenny was arrested and booked for 2nd degree eluding and obstruction -- cops say he lied about owning and driving the car ... a 2010 navy blue Porsche Panamera S which was impounded.

Britt was also arrested in January 2010 -- again in NJ -- for outstanding traffic warrants.

Prosecutors in Rockland County, NY recommended a more serious level 2 tag, but a judge decided Taylor -- who pled guilty in January to sexual misconduct and patronizing an underage prostitute -- was not targeting children and was unlikely to commit the same crime again.

Level 1 offenders' photographs are NOT posted on the online registry of sex offenders.