Two professional baseball players and another man were arrested on suspicion of assault and disorderly conduct after Wednedsay's Phoenix Suns game at U.S. Airways Center following a brawl at an arena lounge, according to Phoenix police.
Detroit Tigers catcher Gerald Laird, 30, was cited for assault. His brother Brandon Laird, 22, was cited for disorderly conduct, police said. The younger brother is a prospect in the New York Yankees minor league system.
Police also arrested Gregory Scott Collins, 51, on suspicion of assault after the 9 p.m. incident as the Suns wrapped their 116-98 win over the Boston Celtics.
Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill said a fourth man "inappropriately touched a female" at the lounge on level 3 of the arena, though he was not arrested because the female victim "did not want to get involved or provide us with any information and declined prosecution."
Security previously contacted the group of men about their loud behavior, Hill said. Two of the men were allowed back into the lounge after a conversation with security, but a melee broke out shortly afterwards.
As security guards tried to arrest Brandon Laird, his brother and Collins "interfered and assaulted the security guards," Hill said.
Phoenix police could not confirm the identity of the woman, Hill said, though he added that she is the wife of an NBA player. Gerald Laird lives with his wife and daughter in Peoria in the offseason, according to the Detroit Tigers' Web site.
