Okay you guys, I'll be the first to admit that this could be a very ignorant question on my part. But before you all laugh at this dumb question, please understand that I probably follow sports as much as you do, and never before have I seen the answer to my question. A search of the net doesn't provide the answer, nor has any news article that deals with this topic.

In any pro or even college sports league, if a player or coach criticizes the officials for a bad performance during a post-game interview, then that player/coach will very likely be slapped with a hefty fine. My question is - exactly what gives the league the right to fine players for criticizing officials?

I can certainly understand how physical attacks such as the recent Todd Bertuzzi incident can lead to big fines and suspensions. But if it's only verbal attacks, isn't that allowed under freedom of speech and the first amendment? This is America. I know there are certain laws regarding libel and slander, but I don't think a comment such as "I think the referee made a very bad call on that play" falls into the same category as real slander such as defamation. There are other situations where people make similar comments all that time, yet they don't seem to get into any real serious trouble such as fines. For example:

#1.
If John Doe states that he thinks the President is doing a very bad job and blames him for the economy and will not vote for him in the upcoming election, it is his prerogative to think that way. He may draw criticisms from Republicans, but he cannot be sued for simply that one comment.

#2.
Siskel and Ebert used to criticize films all the time, yet I don't recall any movie producers sue those men for negative comments about their films.

#3.
In some competition shows such as The Weakest Link and American Idol, the hosts criticize and ridicule the contestants all the time. Now THAT is real defamation. Yet, the contestants are powerless to do anything.

So all that said, why is the professional sports environment different? Why is a player/coach criticizing the official different than these examples in that they can be fined over it?

A lot, if not some, people think that words don't hurt as much as sticks and stones. I, for one, think that words can be just as abusive as physical actions, especially in the world of sports. Think about it. Let's say a player in the NBA criticizes an official after he is tossed after arguing a bad call. Things will more than likely not go well between the official and the player in question. It would only make it worse if the player said on national television, or any type of press that can reach the public, negative things about the ref. It wouldn't help matters any if the two had to be in the same game in the future. I don't think they have this rule because of fear of defamation or slander but I believe it is because they don't want any fallout or feud between the player and the official.

One example is the incident in baseball in 1996 between Roberto Alomar and umpire John (or Mark, I forget which) Hirschbeck in which Alomar was called out on strikes, argued, and was immediately ejected (baseball rules prohibit the arguing of balls and strikes and gives the umpire the right to quickly eject a player who continues to argue this). Afterwards, he did the unthinkable. He spit in his face. In addition, he made a remark to the press saying something along the lines of, "He's just upset because his son got sick and died." or something like that. The umpire had to be physically restrained from entering the clubhouse.