NBA Dress Code is Rascist?

[WolfmanNCSU]

Hmmm, ok, I did not really see this coming, but its all over ESPN, and the arguments are just lame.

The NBA has now declared a rule that said that the players, coaches, etc, must wear collared shirts and suites at NBA events. So if you are on the bench at a game (if you did not dress due to injury, etc) then you must wear a suite, and not a throw back jersey, t-shirt, whatever you want.

Does not seem like a big deal to me. After all, it is a job, and we have dress codes at work. I myself wear a polo and khakis or even a suit to work everyday. And its not like they dont have the budget to grab a few nice clothes.

So instead of putting publicity on the millions of dollars the NBA and its teams are donating to charities (also passed on the same day of the dress code) we are focusing on upset players whining about a dress code. And the NBA wonders why they have a bad image?!?!

Post your thoughts.

[C.J.]

The NBA is a bunch of whining shitbags anyway. They get the most re-fucking-diculous pay ever. Especially since, you know, pro basketball sucks.

[Coded-Dude]

Actually I think baseball players have a worse image. But that is beside the point. Though the reaction from the players doesn't necessarily surprise me, I can only wonder if there is a fine for not following the "dress code."

[Crow]

so....where does racism fit into this?

since there is no dress code and they are free to wear whatever they want then i dont see the problem really

[Mathx]

The reason it's racist is because wearing jewlery outside of your shirt (like many black players like to do with their "Bling") is forbidden. I agree that they should allow (to a certain degree) them to be able to wear jewlery in that fashion, it's not "sloppy" or "unprofessional" it is a certain style that is done by Black players on the NBA.


I also don't like that they're stressing the Western view of what is proper attire, since they have foreigners in the NBA, and what if someone want's to wear a traditional garb from their land...say...a Nigerian dress, will the NBA say no to his culture?

[Viper]

Racist this is not. Forcing professional conformist standards it is.

I don't fully agree with this. At a contract meeting, yes, they should be in full suit but on the bench, no, they should in be wearing their uniform.

[Mathx]

What about the "Bling" issue...?

[WolfmanNCSU]

so....where does racism fit into this?

since there is no dress code and they are free to wear whatever they want then i dont see the problem really

I agree that I don't really see the raicsm either....It's just the buzz going around the league to cause a stir in my opinion. They claim...

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.

"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. "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."

If that is the case, then is most of the corporate America Rascist?

I don't fully agree with this. At a contract meeting, yes, they should be in full suit but on the bench, no, they should in be wearing their uniform.

Inactive players (i.e. on the IR) can not dress in uniform on the bench. They want these players to look more "professional" to represent their team instead of just kicking it in t-shirts, throw backs, shorts, etc.

It's not like they are asking for the world here, just look a little more professional.

One of the more interesting articles going around is, it is not so much an issue of race, but instead of age difference. The players are younger then they have ever been, and wearing jewerly, throwbacks, etc, is more widely accepted amoung the younger generation

[Mathx]

Is wearing a single diamond studed necklace over your dress shirt and tie with a dress suit "sloppy" and "unprofessional"????!

[Pro A.]

Depends who you are and what you believe it to be.

Frankly, this is not a big deal and it isn't as bad as the NHL, which is all business attire. I don't think its that bad and people like Iverson are just whining for nothing.

[WolfmanNCSU]

Ah, I finally found a copy of the code....

From the NBA: We know that you share our desire that NBA players be appreciated not only for their extraordinary talent and hard work, but also for their accessibility to fans, their community service, and their professionalism – both on and off the court. To that end, we will be instituting, effective with the start of the regular season, a league-wide “minimum” dress code. Many teams have previously issued their own dress codes, designed to demonstrate the seriousness with which their players take the representation of their teams, their cities, and our league; our new dress code is not intended to affect any of those that are more formal than what is set forth below:

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.

- Appropriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.

- "Team or league business" includes all activity conducted on behalf of the team or the league during which the player is seen by, or interacts with, fans, business partners, members of the public, the media, or other third parties. It includes arriving at games (car or team bus to locker room), leaving games (locker room to team bus or car), attending games when not in uniform, participating in team or league events with business partners or in the community, conducting media interviews, and making promotional or other appearances.

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

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)

We know it's not possible to create a dress policy that will anticipate every possible situation. Our policy will therefore be interpreted in all cases to ensure that players are neatly and professionally attired, while not being unfairly burdensome.

Thank you in advance for your continued cooperation. Good luck to all for the 2005-06 season.

[D3adcell]

Are they afraid it's going to ruin their image or what? They still get paid millions of dollars, nobody said that after or before they game they couldn't wear jewelrey etc. I dont ever see any of the black coaches in the NBA wearing 'bling'. I don't see why they have to get upset. Everything always has to be about race though....

[Dwhitten]

I think it's unprofessional to wear "bling" with their suits. Every business has rules for dress codes and the NBA is not being any different. See what we're dealing with is high paid athletes who are spoiled and never had to listen to authority.

Just as the company I work for has rules of no jewelry or earings for it's workers while on the clock. Are our workers being discriminated against? Absolutely not because it's a professional workplace and when working we are supposed to play by their rules...not ours.

It's not asking much for NBA players taking in millions of dollars a year to obey their place of employment for a couple hours. This issue is not about race! The issue has no color and does not cater to one particular race and if their culture gets in the way of the rules then they can go back to their hoods.

[Mathx]

I think it's unprofessional to wear "bling" with their suits.

I agree that it is unprofessional in a buisness setting, but the NBA took too long to act on such a matter as dress that such things as "Bling" have become a trend and a popular fashion among black men because many sports and music entertainers have basically "made" it look cool and fashionable, such as a watch or a tie pin (which I think will become outrageously fashioned due to this new rule)...

I just feel that the NBA should allow some leeway(sp?) on it and maybe allow a maximum of one chain (we don't need a bunch of Mr. Ts) as well as regulate the size of the medallion and chain...I like the (reasonable ammount of) "Bling" over the "huge rim" trend that I saw after I came back from France.

[Teh Roxor!]

These people are so detatched from reality, it's ridiculous. This isn't a problem, this isn't even an issue.

And it's NOT racist. Who the hell came up with that idea?

[Dwhitten]

I agree that it is unprofessional in a buisness setting, but the NBA took too long to act on such a matter as dress that such things as "Bling" have become a trend and a popular fashion among black men because many sports and music entertainers have basically "made" it look cool and fashionable, such as a watch or a tie pin (which I think will become outrageously fashioned due to this new rule)...

I just feel that the NBA should allow some leeway(sp?) on it and maybe allow a maximum of one chain (we don't need a bunch of Mr. Ts) as well as regulate the size of the medallion and chain...I like the (reasonable ammount of) "Bling" over the "huge rim" trend that I saw after I came back from France. It doesn't matter if the NBA took too long to change it's policy. Rules are rules no matter when they are made. If the basketball players want to be cool and fashionable then they should do it when they are not at work.

Why should we cater to one race when the rule applies to everyone? Dude these guys are at work. They get paid millions. They are spoiled. They only have to dress like this for only a couple hours! Get over it!

[Mathx]

I guessing that during that "hour" the brand names of the clothes no doubt contribute a sum of money, not to mention, part of their promotional contracts...

...also "bling" isn't just about being "cool" and "fashionable" it can have a professional look to it, if it is the right style of course...

[Dwhitten]

...also "bling" isn't just about being "cool" and "fashionable" it can have a professional look to it, if it is the right style of course... I don't care how professional it looks. If the rules say no chains then that's what it means.

[Crow]

this would only be racist if they singled out the black players saying they cant wear something but the white players can, its the same rules for both races, its just more black players wear jewellery

[David]

They can still wear the most massive, gaudy watches available.

Just cut back on the necklaces and wear 12 karat diamond studded watches. Or 4 of them if you prefer.

[dncardman]

Gay...this just takes out of some of the personality that the NBA is famous for. I don't think all players will cooperate.