Stern: Players will be 'pleasantly surprised' about dress code

[thispego]

Right, and (outside of homerism) that stems from stereotypes that are closely related to some of the reasons we're discussing a "dress code" in the first place.

People are focusing on whether these players can afford nice clothes, or whether they have the right to question their employers, etc... and nobody seems to wonder why we NEED to see these players wearing "nice" clothes anyway.

hit the nail on the head

[tekdragon]

So you think players should have to wear a suit to and from the plane?

Not necessarily...it's not up to me to decide what cons utes the times at which an employee is representing their employer...that's up to the employer.

I don't have any problem with how players dress. I'm just explaining to you that their time on the court is not their only time "working". And that's where some people are drawing the line. Players are required to do publicity appearances, interviews, etc. And so if their employer can tell them how to dress on the court, they can tell them how to dress in those things too.

This was the essence of what I was getting at. If you're representing your employer, and it's in your contract that your appearance (while representing your employer) is subject to the regulations dictated by that employer, then said employer has every right to set those standards, as well as a responsibility to set those standards based on what is best for the organization.

Who decides what's best for the organization?

The organization does.

That's their right.

[ducks]

http://www.nba.com/news/player_dress_code_051017.html


MEMO TO: NBA PLAYERS
FROM: DAVID STERN, RUSS GRANIK, ADAM SILVER, AND STU JACKSON

DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2005

RE: NBA PLAYER DRESS CODE

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.

[John T]

I don't know how 'pleasant' some of the players will think wearing a sports coat is. But, if we're looking for a silver lining, at least it's only for games.


Carie

[thispego]

interesting
i wonder how some players will react

[angel_luv]

Except for now wearing a sports' jacket, it doesn't seem like our guys will have to make much of an adjustment.

[Mr_MVP21]

Tim won't like this at all. Other players will soon join the committee too.

I just hope we don't see someone from our team say something about a stipend too.

[angel_luv]

Tim won't like this at all. Other players will soon join the committee too.

What do you think Timmy will object to other than the forementioned sports coat?

[Mr_MVP21]

"It's gotta be the shoes".

[usckk]

How any of yall noticed that none of the Spurs players were suits and ties? Most just wear a collered shirt and jeans. Are they all following Duncan's lead or is just their own style?

[Mr_MVP21]

I think all of the players have a laid back style. Even the locker room atmosphere is not very serious. When it's game time, the players just play compe ive basketball.

[angel_luv]

I agree. Sometimes Bruce wears a suit. I think Nazr has too.

[Mr_MVP21]

Have you seen Rasho wear a suit, angel?

[angel_luv]

Have you seen Rasho wear a suit, angel?

No, but I am all for it.
Especially if he is in one waiting for me at a table for two. = )

[Mr_MVP21]

I was expecting you to say that you wouldn't mind seeing him in his birthday suit.

[angel_luv]

I was expecting an answer along the lines of birthday suit.

I was nick named Angel for a reason.

[Mr_MVP21]

Back to the topic of the dress code, the Spurs probably would give David Stern the least trouble. They are pretty disciplined organization so I'm sure Pop will convince the team to follow the rules.

It's all those other clowns like Camby, you have to laugh at.

[Drachen]

Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby added that the players should receive a stipend to pay for the clothes.

Are you ing serious?? I have to say, this may just knock Spreewells comment from last year off of the top of the YOU MILLIONAIRE list.

[MI21]

ed if I would be wearing dressy shoes on my money making feet when I should be wearing something comfortable and relaxing for my feet.

[velik_m]

hm... there is no rule about colors... so i'm guessing pink and yellow are OK?
How about writing something on it, like " dress code"?

[ata]

Maybe everybody should wear something like this:


It surely complies the dress code.

[Kori Ellis]

Except for now wearing a sports' jacket, it doesn't seem like our guys will have to make much of an adjustment.

Many (or maybe even most) of the Spurs players wear T-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes/flipflops during postgame. So that will have to change.

Many of them wear hats, t-shirts and/or throwbacks to and from the games. A couple wear sunglasses in the building.

Most of the time I see them wearing shorts or sweats when they are going to the plane.

So it's not just the sportcoat thing that will be a change for the Spurs.

They are a pretty casual team outside of Bowen, Nazr and sometimes Horry.

[easjer]

Do diamond studded sandals count as dress shoes?

Just curious.

I think the players should be cleared to wear team apparel during interviews and to and from the team bus. That would be ok too.

But no chains outside of their clothes? That's a bit, um, extreme. And would any event with fans and business partners include the charity events?? Are bowling shoes dressy enough?

I don't dispute the right to mandate apparel by the NBA, but I do think they've taken it too far (on and off the plane? team events?) Anything outside of their mandatory obligations set by the CBA should be team choices.

[DesiSpur_21]

hm... there is no rule about colors... so i'm guessing pink and yellow are OK?
How about writing something on it, like " dress code"?

This is what I was thinking ;-) I hope at least some players will try out odd colors that can be as ugly as possible

Do players need to suit up for the locker room interviews too? As of now lot of them give interviews without a shirt on - These interviews considered an official enagement or casual sound bites?

[DesiSpur_21]

Oh and BTW, Shouldn't NBA stop cashing in on by playing the so called "gangsta" songs during games.

Stern and co. are a bunch of hypocrites.