NBA Player Dress Code

In recent years, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has instituted a dress code for its players, off the court. Researchers note that as professional basketball has lost its luster with the American public, coaches and team owners have instituted the dress codes as a means to improve the overall image of the sport (Starr, 49). The NBA's new dress code is business casual for all players when they are not on the court. The goal is to improve the player's image by reducing the number of that are typically worn by NBA players (49).

Although the organization's plan to institute a dress code has been noted to be highly racist-as many of the clothing items that are banned are those worn by African American players-the reality is that if NBA teams want to remain viable, fans must embrace players. Only by improving the image of the NBA will team owners be able to reignite interest in basketball and bring more fans back to the sport. Utilizing this as a basic argument for investigation, this research explores the controversy over the NBA's decision to institute a dress code. Through a careful consideration of the issues raised in the controversy, it will be possible to definitively demonstrate that the NBA should be allowed to regulate the attire of its members both on and off the court.

Background

Support for the Dress Code

In order to begin this investigation, it is first helpful to consider some of the arguments that have been offered in favor of the decision of the NBA to institute a dress code for players. Reviewing what scholars have noted on the subject, it is evident that the NBA has suffered notable image problems in recent years. As one author notes: "the Kobe Bryant rape case and the ugly brawl between players and fans during a Pistons-Pacers" are just a few of the issues impacting the image of the NBA (Starr, 49). If players are to improve their image and reduce the negative stereotypes associated with the NBA, drastic steps are needed to in order to achieve this goal. The institution of a dress code will help the NBA improve its overall image and reduce backlash from the negative publicity that the organization has encountered in recent seasons.

In addition to the fact that drastic steps are needed to improve the image of the players, it is also evident that, given the large salaries that players are given, they have a responsibility to follow the rules set forth by their teams. Researchers examining the average salaries of plays in the NBA note that in 1998, that the average income for NBA players was $2.6 million. Further, the minimum salary for NBA players was $242,000 (Kern, 56). What this effectively suggests is that players are receiving a considerable amount of money to perform their jobs. As such, it is not unreasonable for team owners to ask that NBA players represent the association respectfully when they are in public. Given that the team owners are paying their athletes such huge salaries, these organizations have the right to request that players represent the organization and the sport in a professional manner. This is no different from organizations that require their employees to dress a certain way for work each day. Professionals are expected to represent their organization in a positive manner. Thus, it is not unreasonable for basketball team owners to ask their players to represent the organization in a positive manner.

Finally, researchers examining the institution of the new dress code argue that the decision of the organization to institute a dress code sends a positive message to young athletes aspiring to become NBA players (Graves, 9). "It was not that long ago that the most popular NBA superstars saw themselves as ambassadors of the league, determined to set a standard of excellence both in how they performed on the court and in how they represented the sport off of it" (9). For young athletes seeking to become NBA players, the institution of a dress code brings respectability and pride back to the sport. This is critical not only for improving the image of the organization to young players, but also for setting a clear precedent for the overall integrity of the organization.

Arguments Against the Dress Code

The arguments for the institution of a dress code in the NBA appear to be quite reasonable. However, players that have been impacted by the new rules have asserted that the dress code is nothing short of racist. The 'dress-up' ultimatum recently imposed on NationalBasketballAssociationplayers has been widely criticized as racist by those who feel it is aimed at Black hoopsters who embody hip-hop fashion" (Carter, 10). Many African American players believe that the dress code has been instituted as a means to reduce the black culture that is associated with the NBA. Because most of the items that have been banned are those that are predominantly worn by black athletes, the policy has been denounced as racist. This argument against the NBA dress code remains a notable sticking point for many players, fans and some civil rights activists.

In addition to the fact that the NBA dress code has been labeled racist, researchers also note that the dress code has been labeled by some as a form of "identity theft" (Cooper, "A gender..."). Specifically, this author notes that, by instituting a dress code, the NBA is "denying brilliant athletes the freedom to express themselves off the court as flamboyantly or outrageously as they express themselves on the court" (Cooper, "A gender..."). This author goes on to argue that when this right is taken away from individual players, it is also usurped from the fans as well: "Some of the guys in my classes liked the idea that they could look like players - and that the pros could look like them. To these young men, the NBA dress code was, in essence, a form of identity theft" (Cooper, "A gender..."). What this effectively demonstrates is that the imposition of a dress code, not only takes away the individual athlete's right to freedom of expression, but also it notably dampens the fan's right to fully enjoy the basketball culture through a player's image.

Conclusion

The central thesis posited at the outset of this investigation was that through a careful consideration of the data, it would be possible to demonstrate that the NBA's decision to institute a dress code was a boon for the organization. When one considers the overall benefits that can be achieved through the use of a dress code, it is evident that a dress code is the right decision for the NBA. In addition to bolstering the image of the organization overall, the imposition of a dress code also improves the image of the organization for young aspiring athletes. Further, given that basketball owners pay their players such substantial salaries, these owners have a right to demand the professionals represent the organization in a positive manner. The imposition of a dress code ensures that this occurs.

In the end, the reality for the NBA is one that is not overwhelmingly positive. Because of backlash from negative publicity in the profession, team owners are now suffering financially. Although basketball players may believe that the game they play is a private affair, in actuality basketball is a business, which relies on the public for support and the larger corporate world for financial endorsement. If the NBA is to remain a viable and profitable organization, owner must do what is in the best interests of the players. For this reason, players that classify the dress code as racist should consider whether they would be willing to loose their multimillion dollar jobs over an ideological principle. In most cases, the answer would more than likely be no. As such, NBA players need to accept the fact that the new dress code is simply the price of doing business.

Works Cited

Cooper, Joseph H. "A gender divide over NBA dress code." [2005]. Christian Science Monitor. Accessed June 21, 2006 at: http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1215/p09s01-coop.html.

Graves Sr., Earl G. "The NBA dress code: Setting high standards. Black Enterprise, 36(5), 9.

Kern, William S. The Economics of Sports. Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, 2000.

Starr, Mark. "Duds go out of bounds." Newsweek, 146(18), (2005): 49.

Carter, Richard. "NBA's new dress code: Racist or just smart business?" New York Amsterdam News, 96(47), (2005): 10, 41.