Getting fined in the NBA isn’t just a blow to a player’s wallet — it’s also a win for charity…
Did you know that every time an NBA player is fined for bad behavior, the money is split between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), with both sides donating their share to charitable causes?
Whether it’s a technical for arguing with a ref or a hefty fine for an on-court brawl, a portion of the cash from the fine ends up funding important community programs.
The NBPA Foundation, which handles the players’ side of the donations, even runs a grant-matching program. That means when players give to nonprofits, the foundation can double their contributions — turning an ugly on-court moment into something truly impactful.
Take Draymond Green, for example…
The Golden State Warriors star has racked up his fair share of fines, but thanks to this system, those dollars go toward meaningful causes. The league’s structure ensures that penalties enforce discipline and help fund youth programs, education initiatives, and more.
“Not many people know that when players get fined, 50% goes to NBA Cares, and then the other [half] goes to our foundation,” Erika Swilley, Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation, says.
“There’s not always a negative connotation with the fine money,” Swilley says. “Important work is being done.”
The NBPA Foundation operates on five main pillars:
- Education
- Health and wellness
- Humanitarian relief (which includes disaster relief)
- Youth sports
- Social justice and civic engagement
According to SB Nation, the PA maintains a detailed database for where and how fine money is deployed through these pillars and where it’s most impactful — or goes the furthest.
“These players have a very unique platform to give back and help others,” Swilley says. “Getting them to understand how they can tap into their unique platform and really make a difference in the communities in which they play and they’re from, I would say is success for us.”
“I always tell [players], pick something that’s a lived experience that you can work for and champion and tell that story. Because if you’re just picking literacy because it sounds good, then there’s never going to be that passion there,” Swilley says. “It’s hard for them to see how some of their lived experiences can then translate into community work for them.”
