NBA introduces new dress code

[reader]

NBA introduces new dress code By DOUG FEINBERG, AP Sports Writer
October 17, 2005 NEW YORK (AP) -- There will be no more dress down days in the NBA.

The league announced in a memo to teams on Monday that a minimum dress code will go into effect at the start of the regular season on Nov. 1.

Players will be expected to wear business casual attire whenever they participate in team or league activities, including arriving at games, leaving games, conducting interviews and making promotional or other appearances.


``If they're trying to change the image of league, that's cool,'' Suns forward Shawn Marion said.

Some teams already have their own dress code in place.

Portland coach Nate McMillian is known for his strict rules, including bans on headbands and on cell phones on the team bus.

``It's important that the players understand they have to respect the game,'' McMillian said in August. ``They have to respect the league. And they have to respect the fans. You must be a professional at all times.''

Players will no longer be able to wear:

-- Sleveless shirts

-- Shorts

-- T-shirts

-- Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes.

-- Sunglasses while indoors

-- Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room).

Players will also now be required to wear a sport coat on the bench when they are not in uniform.

``I think it is appropriate, definitely, on the bench,'' Marion said. ``I think you should be in a nice shirt and slacks.''

Not all the players feel that the new dress code is in the best image of the league.

``I understand they're making it out to make us look better to corporate and big business. But we don't really sell to big business,'' Jazz guard Raja Bell said. ``We sell to kids and people who are into the NBA hip-hop world. They may be marketing to the wrong people with this.''

Commissioner David Stern is expected to announce the penalty for dress code violations next week.

 

[reader]

This is from the NBA site.

NBA Player Dress Code

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1. General Policy: Business Casual Players are required to wear Business Casual attire whenever they are engaged in team or league business.

"Business Casual" attire means



A long or short-sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), and/or a sweater.
Dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans.
<li>Appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots. 2. Exceptions to Business Casual

There are the following exceptions to the general policy of Business Casual attire:

a. Players In Attendance At Games But Not In Uniform

Players who are in attendance at games but not in uniform are required to wear the following additional items when seated on the bench or in the stands during the game:



Sport Coat
<li> Dress shoes or boots, and socks b. Players Leaving the Arena

Players leaving the arena may wear either Business Casual attire or neat warm-up suits issued by their teams.

c. Special Events or Appearances

Teams can make exceptions to the Business Casual policy for special events or player appearances where other attire is appropriate -- e.g., participation in a basketball clinic.

3. Excluded Items

The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear at any time while on team or league business:



Sleeveless shirts
Shorts
T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event (e.g., a basketball clinic), team-identified, and approved by the team)
Headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the bench or in the stands at a game, during media interviews, or during a team or league event or appearance (unless appropriate for the event or appearance, team-identified, and approved by the team)
Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes
Sunglasses while indoors
Headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room)

 

[Drop D]

I have a feeling that Nike, Reebok, etc, will be coming out with dress shoes now. I wouldn't be surprised if the shoe companies made a big stink. (wow, no pun intended)

Well, I guess no comeback for Dennis Rodman.

 

[elindholm]

"Jazz guard Raja Bell," wtf? Was it a coincidence that he and Marion were in the same room?

 

[reader]

I am looking forward to seeing Steve, "Stylin'". I think if anyone could give a sportscoat a bad name it would be him. Has anyone ever seen him not wear at least 1 of the 3 the no longer allowable items, jeans, t-shirt or runners? Even at his MVP ceremony, he wore jeans and runners.

 

[DevonCardsFan]

Thats Stupid, I Like when Iverson is all Timberland uped on the bench, sporting his chain

 

[coloradosun]

I have a feeling that Nike, Reebok, etc, will be coming out with dress shoes now. I wouldn't be surprised if the shoe companies made a big stink. (wow, no pun intended)

Well, I guess no comeback for Dennis Rodman.

Nike will not have a problem with it. Nike owns Cole-Haan, some of the best dress shoes on the market. Expensive crocks go for over $1000 a pair, that means higher margins.

I am also going to put this in a street language that even Allen Iverson will understand, the owners feel like the players are "dissing" them.

Stern has created a cultural monster that will hard to slay, by promoting the hip hop image for the last few years he brought the street to the arena. Not every corporate sponsor likes that image.

 

[Djaughe]

Pacers' Jackson calls ban on chains 'racist statement'

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, contending that a league ban on chains worn over clothing is "a racist statement" from the league, wore every long, diamond-studded chain in his collection Tuesday night as a protest.

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Jackson voiced no opposition to the bulk of the "business casual" demands in the NBA's new dress code, but he described the jewelry ban as "attacking young black males."

"I think it's a racist statement because a lot of the guys who are wearing chains are my age and are black," said Jackson, 27. "I wore all my jewelry today to let it be known that I'm upset with it.

"I'll wear a suit every day. I think we do need to look more professional because it is a business. A lot of guys have gotten sloppy with the way they dress. But it's one thing to [enforce a] dress code and it's another thing if you're attacking cultures, and that's what I think they're doing."

Jackson made his comments before Tuesday's home exhibition game against San Antonio, with the four chains he wore to work hanging in his locker -- one sporting his initials, two with a crucifix and a fourth depicting Jesus Christ.

A section in the new dress code listing items players are not allowed to wear on team or league business includes "chains, pendants or medallions worn over the player's clothing."

"I know a lot of guys on my team are upset and I have no problem speaking up on it," Jackson said.

Jackson, though, said he wouldn't openly defy the rule if it means he keeps "giving money back" in fines.

San Antonio's Tim Duncan, far less vocal but also a critic of the new policy, did not play in Tuesday's game and sat on the bench wearing an untucked shirt and baggy jeans -- attire that could result in a fine if seen during a regular-season game. A specific range of penalties has yet to be announced, but league officials have already made it clear that violators of the dress code will be fined -- as well as their teams -- with repeat violators subject to suspension.

 

[coloradosun]

There are not too many employers that allow their employees to wear big gold chains, unless you work in the 'rap industry'.

The arguments that I have heard in defense of players wearing 'expensive' throw back jerseys and chains is that is their image. Kids do not need to spend $200 bucks on a throw back jersey or a gold chain just so they could "pretend" to be Allen Iverson. Priorities are way out of wack. I was just in a KFC yesterday and this kid wearing a expensive team jersey and gold ear rings was filling out an application for a job. He would be better off spending the money on improving himself so he could get a better job.

 

[myrondizzo]

why is it that everytime a new rule comes out these player pull out the race card? they get paid millions to play a game and then they act they are being mistreated when asked to where a suit to work.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

why is it that everytime a new rule comes out these players pull out the race card?

 

[boisesuns]

Stephen Jackson isn't exactly the best spokesman for this. He'll always be remembered as a brawler, and things like this only bring that back up.

I think teams should decide dress codes individually. Let the owners decide how their organization should be represented. It's not like teams will have their players wearing Village People costumes, though it would be funny!

 

[myrondizzo]

every time its time for them to sign a new contract you'll hear how this is a buisness and yada yada yada but the second they are asked ask to dress like it now they are role models to kids and dont want kids to feel bad about not wearing a suit to work. when the necklace they have draped arond there neck is worth more than my house.

 

[Southpaw]

The financial success of the NBA is owed to the marketing of the game and its players, yet somehow it is lost on Stephen Jackson and the rest. Play for a couple of hundred bucks a game and divide up the ticket sale revenue and they can wear anything they care to. When the 12trh guy off the bench makes $4 mill/year, the money has to come from somewhere. Call it selling out, but I doubt any of them would give up the $$$$ for gangsta duds.

Suck it up Stephen and stay out of the stands, or give up the contract. Talk to your agent about what pays the bills. It's called marketing and image. It ain't no biggie. Wear some big boy clothes.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

every time its time for them to sign a new contract you'll hear how this is a buisness and yada yada yada but the second they are asked ask to dress like it now they are role models to kids and dont want kids to feel bad about not wearing a suit to work. when the necklace they have draped arond there neck is worth more than my house.

Very good point

 

[JS22]

 

[Southpaw]

... and now Mr. Squeeky Clean from San Antonio calls it ********.

 

[justAndy]

so...
the NBA markets individual player for years and NOW they want them to dress like they are some faceless IBM drone?

 

[Renz]

... and now Mr. Squeeky Clean from San Antonio calls it ********.

Boo Hoo! Poor Timmy will now have to tuck in his shirt when he sits on the bench. What a joke.

 

[SirStefan32]

I hate when grown men act like spoiled kids.
Yeah, they get paid million of dollars to play basketball, and they are being forced to look like civilized people, yeah, I really feel sorry for them.

 

[justAndy]

Stephan

that bling and those throwback jerseys don't grow on trees - civilization produces them.
Hiphop is a product of civilization.
It seems there's some resentment of the player's wealth.
I get a kick out of some of the goofy looks they come up with.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

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The designer Jhoanna Wiegman holding jeans custom made for the Heat's Shaquille O'Neal at Élevée Fine Clothing, which dresses many N.B.A. players.