Kori Ellis
10-09-2005, 12:17 AM
Mike Monroe: NBA's dress-code idea stirs ire
Web Posted: 10/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA100905.9C.COL.BKNmonroe.dresscode.313ef62.html
San Antonio Express-News
Much ado about not that much.
NBA players, most prominently the 76ers' Allen Iverson, and including the Spurs' Tim Duncan, are upset about the dress code David Stern recently revealed the league intends to impose on them.
The details of the dress code — the what and the where — have yet to be determined. That hasn't stopped players and media members from making assumptions, some of them likely erroneous.
The Spurs, for example, seemed to believe they would be required to wear coats and ties at games if they aren't suited up in their work clothes, meaning their uniforms.
In fact, it seems far more likely the dress code merely will specify that players wear collared shirts and slacks — no jeans — when seated with their team during games.
Suits and ties?
No way.
Sport coats with that collared shirt?
Maybe, but the guess here is Stern will compromise and back away from that, too, as long as players adhere to the standard about relatively conventional shirts. That means no T-shirts or jerseys. And nothing atop the head, whether a ball cap or a "do-rag."
There are a couple of big problems if the league eliminates jeans from the list of acceptable player attire, though: League employees are allowed to wear jeans to work at Olympic Tower, in midtown Manhattan. Plus, some owners, the Spurs' Peter Holt among them, often wear jeans as they sit courtside at games.
Stern clearly doesn't have a sense of South Texas style if he deems Holt's typical game-night attire — neat blue jeans, cowboy boots, wide-buckle belt, dress shirt and blazer — inappropriate as "business casual."
Then there is the Mavericks' owner, Mark Cuban, who typically wears jeans and either a jersey or his "MFFL" (Mavs Fan For Life) sweatshirt at games. Cuban showed up at a recent Board of Governors meeting wearing jeans and a rugby shirt, just to let his colleagues know where he stands on the issue. (Here you go Shoogar Bear - someone mentioned Cuban's clothes)
Stern is smart enough to know you choose your battles and leave yourself plenty of wiggle room, so it will be a major upset if he and the league's Board of Governors don't give up on trying to impose a dress code for travel. All 30 of the league's teams either have their own airplane, or else travel on league-arranged charter aircraft. Thus, players aren't on public display walking through airports. Who cares what they look like when they show up at the charter terminal, or even at the team hotel?
The dress code is part of a proposed code of conduct for players. It is all about professionalism and improving the image of league players, an image that took a direct hit after the infamous brawl that spilled into the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills last November. There is language in the new collective bargaining agreement that relates to its imposition, and Stern has consulted with players' union chief Billy Hunter about his plans for such a code.
The collective bargaining agreement gives the commissioner the power to fine players for violations of the code. Iverson, for one, has said Stern should be prepared to fine him, because he does not intend to comply with a dress code of which he does not approve.
If the commissioner really wants to strike a blow for professionalism, we suggest he could better begin by insisting players adhere to the league's rules regarding cooperation with the media. There are league bylaws that specify minimum levels of cooperation by players and teams, including fines for disregarding same. Many players, including some Spurs, routinely ignore them, with impunity.
Those of us in the media don't care how the players are attired when they answer our questions, just as long as they are willing to talk to us.
Web Posted: 10/09/2005 12:00 AM CDT
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA100905.9C.COL.BKNmonroe.dresscode.313ef62.html
San Antonio Express-News
Much ado about not that much.
NBA players, most prominently the 76ers' Allen Iverson, and including the Spurs' Tim Duncan, are upset about the dress code David Stern recently revealed the league intends to impose on them.
The details of the dress code — the what and the where — have yet to be determined. That hasn't stopped players and media members from making assumptions, some of them likely erroneous.
The Spurs, for example, seemed to believe they would be required to wear coats and ties at games if they aren't suited up in their work clothes, meaning their uniforms.
In fact, it seems far more likely the dress code merely will specify that players wear collared shirts and slacks — no jeans — when seated with their team during games.
Suits and ties?
No way.
Sport coats with that collared shirt?
Maybe, but the guess here is Stern will compromise and back away from that, too, as long as players adhere to the standard about relatively conventional shirts. That means no T-shirts or jerseys. And nothing atop the head, whether a ball cap or a "do-rag."
There are a couple of big problems if the league eliminates jeans from the list of acceptable player attire, though: League employees are allowed to wear jeans to work at Olympic Tower, in midtown Manhattan. Plus, some owners, the Spurs' Peter Holt among them, often wear jeans as they sit courtside at games.
Stern clearly doesn't have a sense of South Texas style if he deems Holt's typical game-night attire — neat blue jeans, cowboy boots, wide-buckle belt, dress shirt and blazer — inappropriate as "business casual."
Then there is the Mavericks' owner, Mark Cuban, who typically wears jeans and either a jersey or his "MFFL" (Mavs Fan For Life) sweatshirt at games. Cuban showed up at a recent Board of Governors meeting wearing jeans and a rugby shirt, just to let his colleagues know where he stands on the issue. (Here you go Shoogar Bear - someone mentioned Cuban's clothes)
Stern is smart enough to know you choose your battles and leave yourself plenty of wiggle room, so it will be a major upset if he and the league's Board of Governors don't give up on trying to impose a dress code for travel. All 30 of the league's teams either have their own airplane, or else travel on league-arranged charter aircraft. Thus, players aren't on public display walking through airports. Who cares what they look like when they show up at the charter terminal, or even at the team hotel?
The dress code is part of a proposed code of conduct for players. It is all about professionalism and improving the image of league players, an image that took a direct hit after the infamous brawl that spilled into the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills last November. There is language in the new collective bargaining agreement that relates to its imposition, and Stern has consulted with players' union chief Billy Hunter about his plans for such a code.
The collective bargaining agreement gives the commissioner the power to fine players for violations of the code. Iverson, for one, has said Stern should be prepared to fine him, because he does not intend to comply with a dress code of which he does not approve.
If the commissioner really wants to strike a blow for professionalism, we suggest he could better begin by insisting players adhere to the league's rules regarding cooperation with the media. There are league bylaws that specify minimum levels of cooperation by players and teams, including fines for disregarding same. Many players, including some Spurs, routinely ignore them, with impunity.
Those of us in the media don't care how the players are attired when they answer our questions, just as long as they are willing to talk to us.