The NBA's New Dress Code: An Example of Racism??

[Yavin4]

The NBA's new dress code is about ensuring that NBA players dress like their corporate NBA fans. The players argue that this is an example to rid the NBA of the Hip-Hop culture and to "Whiten" NBA players.

What do you think?

[mduffy31]

1. No

I would say that every employer has a dress code. I don't see the problem that when they are at an offical league function they should want the players to dress as professional. Ask the guys who built this league what they think and they all feel that this is a good thing. Sir Charles on Leno said just that.

[democracyindanger]

2. No

And not all the players are calling it racist. Only the immature ones.

[Hobarticus]

3. Only applies to team/league business, which is the norm for a dress code

Really not that big of a deal. Any employer has a dress code, and it doesn't even require a tie. After Kobe and Iverson, and seeing fans and dollars start to lose interest, they're trying to clean up their public image. That's not 'whitening' anybody, that's good business sense. Hard to meet high-dollar payrolls when there's no one in the stands or watching on TV.

From insidehoops.com:

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.

[enigami]

4. Culturilism ( is that a word) maybe

White people spend the money and white people don't like the hip-hop thug thing. simple really

[northzax]

5. it is good business to outdress your clients at all time

When I go to an interview, or to someone who is paying me, I dress up, I'd much rather be in destroyed jeans and flip flops, and, in fact, I work in jeans and flip flops, from my living room. But when I go meet people who are paying me, I put on a coat and tie. Why should players be any different? They want the money that comes from getting paid by rich corporate clients, they can dress to impress them, just like all the rest of us do.

[tjwash]

6. No. Don't forget, they did an NBA dress code...

...many years ago because of Bill Walton. The dude would show up in ripped t shirts and overalls with sandals on when he wasn't playing.

It's just about looking like a pro, that's all.

[safi0]

7. Its not racist

Because this applies to Greg Ostertag who goes to games looking like a Cowboy, it applies to Steve Nash who arrives at games looking one step above a homeless person.

The real reason behind this, I think, is because of the way the NBA has been marketed. Of the 4 major sports leagues the NBA is by far the most dependent on its stars. Therefore there's a higher spotlight on the players and there appearances

[MrSlayer]

8. Yeah I kind of think it is.

It's obvious that this is a rule to make the players appear less "black". If I was a player I'd come in $10,000 pimp suits just to thumb my nose at them.

[safi0]

9. Its cultural

More than it is racist. Middle American White Men equate Hip-Hop with thuggery. There trying to remove the Hip-Hop element from the game. As for your suit suggestion, I'd one-up you. The only things I would wear are Purple and Pink Polka-Dot suits.

[friesianrider]

10. People get paid far less than those players do...

And work just as hard (if not moreso) and have no problem with dress codes. I'd wear a clown suit everyday to work for 1/4 of what most of them get paid.

[bmbmd]

11. The league can do whatever it wants.

Nevertheless, I would like to see Iverson or Jackson or one of the hip-hoppiest dudes encourage young people to dress nicely and avoid official NBA apparel and high dollar basketball shoes.