ESPN is reporting that the Indiana Pacers will receive nearly $8 million of unexpected financial relief from the long-term bans of Ron Artest, Stephen Jackson and Jermaine O'Neal, based on a league policy that requires the Pacers to pay the NBA only 10 games' worth of salary for each player while they're suspended.

While it was originally believed that the Pacers would have to pay the entire salaries owing to Jermaine O'Neal, Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest for the games they miss to the league (a combined $10.81 million), barring any successful appeals ESPN is reporting that Indiana must only forfeit $2.9 million.

NBA spokesman Matt Bourne said the 10-game policy is a standing policy that the league employed before Indiana's penalties were announced, saving the team just under $7.7 after the suspensions of Anthony Johnson and Reggie Miller are factored in also.

As a result of the brawl Artest was suspended for the remainder of the season and Jackson and O'Neal were suspended for 30 and 25 games, respectively.