Sydney Kings assistant coach and Australian basketball great Andrew Bogut has been hit with a substantial fine by the NBL following a series of incidents during last season’s Championship Series against the Adelaide 36ers.
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Bogut has finally learned the outcome of the league’s investigation into his conduct during the heated finals series, particularly his public feud with Adelaide owner Grant Kelley.
The NBL confirmed Bogut had been fined $9,500 following an investigation conducted under the league’s Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy.
The sanction relates to a series of social media posts and a confrontation following Game 2 of the NBL Championship Series, when Bogut and Kelley came face-to-face in the players’ tunnel after the match.
HOW DID THE FEUD BEGIN?
The bitter rivalry between Kelley and Bogut escalated throughout the closing stages of the season, with public barbs, accusations and social media jabs turning it into one of the league’s biggest off-court storylines.
The dispute began after Bogut publicly questioned reports surrounding former Adelaide head coach Mike Wells, prompting a swift response from the 36ers and a formal complaint to the Sydney Kings.
Rather than settling the matter, the disagreement only intensified as both men continued exchanging shots through the media and online.
Bogut later reignited tensions with a social media post referencing Hungry Jack’s, a major sponsor of the 36ers, in what many interpreted as a thinly veiled dig at Kelley and the Adelaide organisation.
Kelley responded strongly, accusing Bogut of repeatedly overstepping the mark and questioning whether someone who held both ownership and coaching responsibilities with a rival club should be publicly commenting on another team’s internal affairs.
The Adelaide owner also defended his club’s position, arguing the criticism was fuelled by resentment towards the 36ers’ resurgence as a championship contender.
Bogut, however, showed little interest in backing down. The former NBA champion continued to challenge Adelaide’s handling of the situation, ensuring the feud remained a constant talking point throughout the finals campaign.
What started as a disagreement over coaching rumours eventually evolved into a highly public clash between two of the most outspoken figures in Australian basketball, drawing widespread attention from fans, media and rival clubs alike.
Three months later, the league has delivered its verdict.
The NBL determined that elements of Bogut’s conduct breached league rules, resulting in the $9,500 fine. Bogut retains the right to appeal the decision should he choose to do so.