NBA Handing Out ‘Warning Cards’ To Fans Who Partake In Inappropriate Behavior At Games

NBA fans have become more and more bold when it comes to what they say to players on the court in recent years.

Just ask Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook, who has been involved in more than his fair share of altercations with fans.

But did you know that the NBA has actual cards it issues to fans who they believe cross the line while attending games?

Introducing the NBA warning card.

What exactly is an NBA warning card? Well, we’re glad you asked!

NBA Hands Out Soccer-Esque ‘Warning Cards’ To Unruly Fans

It serves similarly to a yellow card in soccer. Fans are given the card if their behavior is deemed inappropriate. If they continue with said behavior, they’re removed from the game.

The warning card reads as follow:

“You are being issued a warning that the comments, gestures, and/or behaviors that you have directed at the players, coaches, game officials, or other spectators constitute excessive verbal abuse or behavior that is disruptive or interferes with a game participant or another spectator and are in violation of the NBA Fan Code of Conduct. This is the first and only warning that you will receive. If, after receiving this warning, you verbally abuse any player, coach, game official, or spectator, or engage in behavior that is disruptive or interferes with a game participant or another spectator, you will be immediately ejected from the arena without refund.”

Harsh. But fair.

“How long has the warning card been around?”

Glad you asked! The answer is much longer than you may think!

While incidents between fans and players have appeared to be on the rise in recent years, the warning card is nothing new.

Reddit user put_bacon_on_it posted a picture of a card all the way back in 2013. That’s the first instance we could find of a card being issued.

But it appears their usage is on the rise. And with fans getting more and more bold, that’s likely to continue in coming years.