Fling the Bling NBA Players r uired to follow a dress code By Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor . For the first time in history, the NBA has instituted a Dress Code policy for its play- ers...and it has been long time coming. On Monday, October 17, NBA Commissioner David Stern sent a memo to every NBA team indicating the mandatory Dress Code policy that will be effective with the start of the 2005-2006 season on November 1, 2005. This new policy will make the NBA the first professional sports league organization to implement such a regulation. The dress code stipulates, “Players are required to wear Business Casual attire whenever they are engaged in team or league business.” The definition of the league’s “Business Casual” is a long or short-sleeved dress shirt, and/or a sweater. Dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress jeans. Appropriate shoes and socks, which include dress shoes, dress boots, or other presenta- ble shoes, but not including sneakers, san- dals, flip-flops, or work boots. In addition to the implementation of a new Dress Code policy, the league has gone as far as to clearly outline what not to wear. Included on the list of what not to wear are sleeveless shirts, shorts, t-shirts, jerseys or sports apparel, headgear of any kind, chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player’s clothes, sunglasses while indoors, and headphones (other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room). The new dress code (as expected) was met with mixed reviews by players, coaches, and the media. But what exactly is this new dress code trying to establish? Some critics have argued that the issue of the dress code is racially motivated, but is that neces- sarily true? Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, Steve A. Smith who is an African-American wrote, “... Indeed, there’s a racial element here. But since there are 60-year-old black parents and grandparents just as appalled by some players’ attire, there is a genera- tional element too.” Smith continued by supporting the NBA dress code. “When you ate selling a sport overwhelmingly populated by young black males to an older white audience, the reality is that impressions, first or other- wise, often determine your product’s suc- cess.” Ever since the Pacer-Piston melee that occurred last year in Detroit during the final minutes of a game, the NBA has been under pressure to clean up its image. In the late eighties and nineties, sport legends such as Michael Jordan, Ervin “Magic” Johnson, and Larry Bird personified the NBA with success on and off the court. Their exceptional athletic abilities, charm- ing personalities, and professional images made the NBA the media darling of the professional sport organization around the globe. However, with the retirement of these basketball statesmen, the NBA was in search of a new group stars that could con- tinue their media success. By the late nineties, a new breed of younger stars such as Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson exploded on to the NBA scene. They were younger, received more media attention, and were paid higher salaries than most previous NBA players earned in their entire careers. The birth of mega stars had arrived and with it, they brought in a culture that was hitting the mainstream America in full stride, Hip Hop. Hip hop culture was nothing new in the black communities across North America. It was an in your face attitude that boasted of a lavish lifestyle of expensive jewelry, luxury cars, and tattoos combined with a casual fashion of sneakers, baggy jeans, jer- seys, and baseball hats. It showed opposi- tion to the stereotypical “you need to act like this” to be rich. Hip hop embodied everything that these new breed of stars were...young, black, rich, and famous. The NBA was hesitant at first, but they jumped on the bandwagon and embraced the Hip hop culture when they noticed hip hop fashion had become Fashion. Hollywood stars and blue-eyed mid- America kids started mimicking Hip hop entertainers by “sportin”’ NBA apparel, such as jerseys and baseball hats to “repre- sent” their home team. The whole phe- nomenon erupted into a multi-million dol- lar industry as the NBA tried to link its players to what was becoming “Pop” Hip Hop. However, the endorsement of Hip Hop became an issue when its culture began to infiltrate the NBA image. It was like the players damn well lost their minds! They didn’t draw the line between “at play” and “at work.” I’m sorry, you can call me old school, you can call me old fool, but I know my momma raised me right. There is a time and place for dressing “street” and a time and place where you dress professionally. When you’re making 8 million dollars a year and you are in the national spotlight at media event...you dress professionally! From wearing mega- huge headphones hanging from their necks and multi-karat diamond studs dripping from their ear lobes, to baseball hats cocked off to one side; players were blur- ring the lines of what was acceptable pres- entation. But is this a racial issue or really a busi- ness issue? NBA TV ratings have declined in recent years and many critics believe that the mid- dle aged white viewer that got hooked on basketball back in the clean cut Jordan era, now cannot relate to the current NBA play- ers who don tattoo covered arms and large chain pendants. Face it; even though the teens are soaking up the rebellious images, the parents with the money are not. With TV ratings at an all-time low, the NBA is losing revenues where it really counts. With fewer corporations willing to share their image with the questionable images por- trayed by players, the NBA needed to address the problem. Current MVP and Victoria-native Steve Nash is opposed to the Dress Code policy. Often dressed down in faded t-shirts and worn jeans, his look is often viewed as “West coast, laid back” and “casual,” but never “thug.” Steve says he believes the league is “overstepping its bounds,” but also says he is willing to abide by the new tules. Elton Brand of the LA Clippers believes that the players are involved in professional business and should reflect that image. Stern, however, has sent a strong mes- sage to the NBA players. “I don’t think there will be a problem unless somebody wants to make a problem,” he explained to the media reporters in New York. “If they really want to make a problem, they’re going to have to make a decision about how they want to spend their adult life in terms of playing in the NBA or not.” Ouch! Dress Codes in Sports By Steph Smith, OP Contributor Ever noticed that a lot of professional athletes dress in fancy suits before games? You catch them on the way to the locker room dressed dapperly in the hallway. When did this start? What is the reason? It’s because of professional sports dress codes. In 2005 the NBA became the first professional sports league to officially implement a dress code (see Brian McLennon’s “Fling the Bling”). The code insisted that all players dress in business or conservative attire when arriving at and leav- ing games, when on the bench while injured, or when con- ducting official NBA business such as interviews and chari- ty events. The dress code was put forth in order to bring an air of professionalism to the sport. The NBA wanted to break away from its image of Hip Hop style, and improve its perception among lower- and middle-class fans. In the NHL, although not official, players are encour- aged to dress in a professional manner. Similar to the mclennonb@douglas.bc.ca NBA, they are asked to show up and leave from games in business attire. They are asked to wear suits when injured and when on official NHL business. The NFL is similar, but much more strict. Their attire is restricted down to the towels they use. And what have been the results? Not a single player has had to change who they are, and their personalities shine through the dress code. However, because of the more professional look, the players in the various leagues are looked up to in a more positive light. They are seen as professionals rather than just crazy-looking sports figures (Dennis Rodman anyone?). Many of the players are okay with the dress code. LeBron James said about the dress code, “No, it’s not a big deal, not to me. Sometimes you feel lazy and you don’t feel like putting [dressier] clothes on, but this is a job. We are going to have fun, but this is a job and we should look like we're going to work, that’s the way they feel.” However, others still are against it. “I think it’s wrong. You shouldn’t judge a person from what they wear,” says Allen Iverson. In the end, it is what it is—a way to make professional sports look just that, professional. 19