• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 5, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

Celtics Coach Ime Udoka Facing ‘Significant’ Financial Penalty

  • Celtics CEO won’t say if his season-long suspension is paid or unpaid.
  • But ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith speculated he could lose half his salary.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Embattled Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka will be punished with a “significant financial penalty” as part of his one-year suspension, team officials announced Friday.

Celtics chief executive officer Wyc Grousbeck declined to specify whether Udoka’s suspension for the NBA’s 2022-23 was paid or unpaid.  

But he made clear during a Friday press conference that the coach will be taking a financial hit for violating franchise rules by having an inappropriate relationship with a female team employee.  

On Friday’s edition of “First Take,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith speculated the 45-year-old coach could lose up to half his salary. 

Also during the show, Smith got into a heated debate with ESPN colleague Malika Andrews about the scandal.

“Stephen A., with all due respect, this is not about pointing the finger. Stop!,” declared Andrews at the top of the segment.

Smith took umbrage when Andrews interrupted his point. “Excuse me. I listened to you. You’re the one telling me to stop on my own show. It ain’t happening.”  

The Celtics have not commented on Udoka’s compensation. But as a first-year head coach, he’s probably at the low end of the compensation range among the NBA’s 30 head coaches (an estimated $3 million per year).

According to NBC Sports, the highest-paid coaches in the NBA all had far more experience and championship rings:

1) Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs ($11.5M).

2) Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors ($9.5M). 

3) Doc Rivers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Eric Spoelstra, Miami Heat (both $8.5M).

4) Mike Budenholzer, Milwaukee Bucks, and Nick Nurse, Toronto Raptors (both $8M).

In his first season, Udoka led the Celtics to an Eastern Conference title and a berth in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, where they lost 4-2.

With Udoka on the bench, assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will lead the storied franchise. But Mazzulla’s has issues of his own stemming from a 2009 arrest for domestic battery.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.

Torre: Key Phrases Missing in Clippers’ Pushback on Kawhi Deal

The NBA said it’s investigating the report involving the Clippers.

NBA Hopes Global Format Can Revive 2026 All-Star Game

A new, globally themed format is in development for the midseason showcase.

Featured Today

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”
Andy Reid
August 21, 2025

Andy Reid Office Shooting Went Unreported for a Year

Reid was inside at the time but wasn’t injured.
Inter Miami bench
August 21, 2025

Inter Miami Post-Red Card Phone Coaching May Have Been Legal

Javier Mascherano appeared to continue coaching through a call from the stands.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
August 1, 2025

Belichick Bump Creating Record UNC Ticket Prices

The cost of seeing the NFL legend’s college coaching debut is soaring.
July 28, 2025

Deion Sanders Had Bladder Removed Due to Cancer, Is Ready for Season

Sanders had his bladder removed in May.
July 28, 2025

Bulls Extend Billy Donovan After Rejecting Knicks Advances

The Bulls finished 39–43 for the second straight season.
Mike Brown
July 2, 2025

Knicks Land on Mike Brown After Monthlong Coach Search: Reports

New York still owes Tom Thibodeau $30 million.