NBA Commissioner Stern Continues to Clean Up the NBA Image

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Little32
That's why I said, since they couch it in business terms, I guess that it is okay.

I would agree with Tony B, I think that it is an attempt to "corporatize" (yeah, I made that up) the league, in terms of appearance.

However, I don't think that there is anything culturally specific about baggy pants or gold chains. That is just ridiculous--and speaks to a whole nother proble m about what confused for culture these days.

Exactly @ last paragraph.

I definitely think that last year's brouhaha was an impetus for this dress code among other things.

I know in junior high and high school, our basketball players, men and women, had to dress nicely -- no jeans or tennis shoes at all. I don't think football had to do it or spring sports either. I can't remember. I just know during the winter of 1990, it was lovely to see AP in a shirt and tie.

[Honeykiss1974]

Isn't pretty much any organization a corporate structure in some form or fashion? Regardless as to the service that you offer, you do need to have a focus on the day-to-day business infrastructure of your organization, whether its an NBA team, GLO, or Junior League.

If memory serves me correctly, didn't professional sports dress more "corporately" (as some people put it) back in the day anyway? I'm sure it was unwritten rules of the times, but I'm just curious as to why now its suddenly so wrong.

Using Tony's example, if companies require its employees to dress a certain way (and yet no one says a thing about it) why should it be different for NBA players? This isn't in their personal lives, but when conducting "league business or a team member" (according to the dress code that CT4 posted).

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by CrimsonTide4
And so young folks don't know how to put on a suit and tie or dress pants and button down shirt when going to work or work related functions?

Forget about work, what about church?funerals? Many do not.

This is slightly off topic, but what happened to wearing a nice pair of slacks and shirt to church, funeral, or wedding from time to time?

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Forget about work, what about church?funerals? Many do not.

This is slightly off topic, but what happened to wearing a nice pair of slacks and shirt to church, funeral, or wedding from time to time?

I agree. SOME parents dress relatively decently but their kids come looking like who shot John?

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Isn't pretty much any organization a corporate structure in some form or fashion? Regardless as to the service that you offer, you do need to have a focus on the day-to-day business infrastructure of your organization, whether its an NBA team, GLO, or Junior League.

If memory serves me correctly, didn't professional sports dress more "corporately" (as some people put it) back in the day anyway? I'm sure it was unwritten rules of the times, but I'm just curious as to why now its suddenly so wrong.

Using Tony's example, if companies require its employees to dress a certain way (and yet no one says a thing about it) why should it be different for NBA players? This isn't in their personal lives, but when conducting "league business or a team member" (according to the dress code that CT4 posted).

You can't prove that what a guy wears from the hotel to the bus to the arena has any impact on how he plays on the floor that night. After graduation, I interned in Detroit as a sports reporter and saw several pro athletes up close. Trust me, the number of fans in the arena early enough to see teams arrive, or who stayed long enough to see them leave an arena was negligble.

This new rule is an image, therefore a dollar, chase. Jordan suited up, but that was his choice, not the Bulls. Most guys, at least in Detroit, (and this was baseball, football and basketball) threw on sweats, or nice jeans and that was it. (unless they were clubbing afterward, I guess.)

Pro teams have standard "behavior clauses" in contracts but I've never heard it extend to attire. Some pro teams have on-the-road dress codes, tie/jacket, but it wasn't league mandated.

"This isn't in their personal lives, but when conducting "league business or a team member." --HK74

...so if a player uses his off day to visit the hospital and sign autographs for sick children is it his personal time, or is he on league business? what if he's visiting when his sport is off season? must he suit up then?

[RBL]

@CT4.. I totally feel you

I was at a funeral a few weeks ago and a couple of brothas came in with white tees, jeans, and tims.... and the girl that was with them came in with a shirt that had "Candy" on it.....

When I wa growing up.. anytime i stepped into church (except choir practice, club meetings..etc) I was always in a suit and tie.. I feel weird going to church now during dress down weeks with jeans...

[Honeykiss1974]

....and NBA has NEVER been about the dollar chase within these last few years? So kids who go into the NBA fresh out of high school are doing it because they love the game so much as opposed for the money? Every player and they granny has/goes after endorsement deals because they simply want to spread the love of basketball? People are trying to get paid from EVERY angle - players, franchise owners, etc.

This issue really isn't that complicated. If the player is conducting league business (ie traveling to and from a game, publicity events, etc.) then he has to "dress up" - and that's really it. Obviously how he dresses on his personal time is his business.

Why the hoopla over dress code, but not "behavioral clauses"? It concerns me moreso than having to wear a pair of Ralph Lauren slacks after the game.

[AKA2D '91]

Possibly, the behavioral clauses are next on the league's agenda.

[Tickled Pink 2]

I wonder if he's looking at the fact that the way you dress is often tied to how you act (therefore - if a player is dressed professionally during a function - he will act in a more professional manner).

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Possibly, the behavioral clauses are next on the league's agenda.

Could be. I know my job has one and I don't anything near as lucrative as play basketball. LOL

[AKA2D '91]

Originally posted by Tickled Pink 2
I wonder if he's looking at the fact that the way you dress is often tied to how you act (therefore - if a player is dressed professionally during a function - he will act in a more professional manner).

Perhaps. However, is it necessarily true? Maybe it's a 'back to basics' idea. Back in the day, professional players and collegiate athletes were expected to dress a certain way before games. It wasn't something written, that's just how it was back then. I guess with a change in the time, we have become more relaxed.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
....and NBA has NEVER been about the dollar chase within these last few years? So kids who go into the NBA fresh out of high school are doing it because they love the game so much as opposed for the money? Every player and they granny has/goes after endorsement deals because they simply want to spread the love of basketball? People are trying to get paid from EVERY angle - players, franchise owners, etc.

This issue really isn't that complicated. If the player is conducting league business (ie traveling to and from a game, publicity events, etc.) then he has to "dress up" - and that's really it. Obviously how he dresses on his personal time is his business.

Why the hoopla over dress code, but not "behavioral clauses"? It concerns me moreso than having to wear a pair of Ralph Lauren slacks after the game.

I think we're talking past each other so I'll draw it to a close here.

I'm not sure what point you're making w/ your 1st statement (above). Because the NBA is ALWAYS about the $, this dress policy shift will ultimately reflect that. My guess is we'll see some new marketing initiative in the near future.

In the days of team and personal cross-promotion, a player's "league business-personal time" is increasingly blurred.

The hoopla over dress code is because we were talking....dress code. If you want to talk behavioral clauses fine, but that's another topic.

[AKA2D '91]

I think (or hope)HK was being facetious, Tony. I don't think Ma Dear and LeBronald ( )are trying to get major contracts and endorsement deals to spread the love they have for B-ball. They are trying to get P.A.I.D!

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
I think (or hope)HK was being facetious, Tony. I don't think Ma Dear and LeBronald ( )are trying to get major contracts and endorsement deals to spread the love they have for B-ball. They are trying to get P.A.I.D!

You got it. I was getting the impression that it was somehow strange for the NBA to want to change its image for monetary purposes - as if people are only there just to play.

My first statement basically stated that the NBA has always been about the $$$$ not because they just "love the game". I'm sure the love is there, but $$$$$ is always at the top of the list.

If this dress code is simply to create more $$$$$ then its not like its uncharacteristic of the NBA.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

I don't see any problem with the dress code. I think that black folks are extremely creative when it comes to fashion so we will hip-hopnotize the new dress code if we need to. It reminds me of the episode where Fresh Prince went to the private school where he had to wear a uniform. So to customize it to his style, he turned the blazer inside out and wore the tie without a button-down shirt.
The NBA players, in essence, could do the same thing if they still feel the need to show their individual style. The code says nothing about what colors or fabrics they can wear. It says nothing about whether the dress shoes have to be Stacey Adams or Gators from Detroit Dave's Shoe House.
Kanye and Jay-Z made it fashionable to dress like you are headed to the Country Club anyway. And Kanye, especially is creative with his. I don't see any reason why the NBA players can't do the same.