NBA punishes Artest More photos from night of shame

The NBA players' union has filed an appeal on behalf of Indiana Pacers' Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal, who were suspended for their roles in a brawl with Detroit Pistons fans last week.

The union has called for an arbitrator to decide whether there should be reductions in the suspensions handed out.

Artest was banned for the season, Jackson for 30 games and O'Neal for 25. Six players were suspended for one to six games but those cases are not being appealed.

Union director Billy Hunter has called the penalties excessive, saying a suspension of about 35 games would have been more appropriate for Artest.

An NBA spokesman said the appeal was received but said the league had no other immediate comment.

Artest, who has expressed his regret after charging into the stands, said: "I don't think it [the suspension] was fair - that many games.

I'm a big fan of the Nobel Peace Prize Ron Artest

"This is the third time that I've been hit with something out of the crowd."

The controversial forward, who has had difficulty juggling basketball with a budding rap career, added: "I just wish the situation hadn't turned out the way it turned out.

"I hope some of the Detroit fans I was interacting with before the game could come to my defence.

"I'd just like people to know how much I appreciate fans - 99.9% of them are great and 0.1% are jerks."

Artest hinted that he would have plenty to occupy his time if attempts to overturn the NBA ban fail.

"I have a record company and am putting out my own CD. There's clothes and shoes and an upcoming book deal that I'm trying to do," he said.