When income is on the line, punishments need to reflect that.

August 11, 2022 by Paul Rokeby-Thomas in Opinion with comments

Judging by the social media reaction to Nikko Locastro’s nine-month suspension from disc golf, I realize that making a public argument in his defense may be a fool’s errand. As that fool, I humbly request your consideration that disc golf’s recent growth has changed how appropriate some of the administrative systems and policies are in the professional era. In the case of Nikko, the disciplinary process that seemed perfectly reasonable and functional only a few years ago is now archaic and heavy-handed.

The PDGA did a lot right in this situation. The disciplinary committee acted expeditiously, followed the rules as written, and applied discretion in sentencing. They respected the privacy of everyone involved per their internal policy and, alongside the ruling, released a public reminder with links to the competition manual, the official rules, the disciplinary policy and process, and a list of current disciplinary cases. The Disciplinary Committee produced a result that was a clear rebuke of Nikko’s grossly inappropriate behavior.

To reiterate, Nikko’s actions were wrong, and I am glad the PDGA reached a decision that unambiguously communicated behavior like it is not welcome in disc golf.

However, the PDGA disciplinary process is not equipped to equitably administer punishments to the touring professional class of members. Nikko is being punished under a policy that has drastically different consequences for different membership classes that commit similar actions. On paper, the punishments are the same, but this understates the real-world impacts of the rulings.

If I behaved in a similar manner, a 9-to-24 month suspension feels appropriate — especially since suspension is the only tool the organization would have to punish me. The PDGA has no ability to enforce a fine on me or disrupt my income. I love the competition and would miss it dearly, but I’d still have my livelihood and my work relationships: the consequences wouldn’t bleed into every aspect of my life. The deliberations of the Disciplinary Committee are not public, and the Committee may have attempted to incorporate the professional ramifications while considering his punishment, but even if that is true, nine months is too long and excessively punitive.

This is not an argument…