Nice Suit!
- Wade
First, read this. (Then come back.)
So the David Stern decides that it needs an off-the-court dress code.
In a nutshell, all NBA players are now required to wear business-casual attire when on team or league business (which isn't really well-defined but I'd guess includes traveling for games and press conferences.) For those of us lucky enough to work in cube America, it's what you'd expect: collared shirt, khakis or dress pants, "appropriate" shoes and socks (no sneakers.) Specifically excluded: visible chains or medallions, sunglasses, and headphones.
Just curious... what is Stern trying to accomplish here? Unless I'm missing something, this is unprecedented among the major sports leagues. Is he trying to improve the image of the NBA? Trying to squelch the obscene amount of endorsement/advertisements that are showing up on non-game apparel? Or is it more like why my company has us wear bus-cash attire: if you look like a professional, you'll act like a professional.
As expected, players are averse to the new rule. And I would be too-- if I want to wear red plaid pajama pants and a Blackhawks jersey on flights to games, why should the NBA care?
If you've got a good answer, or even a bad one, feel free to leave it on the Forum.
What do you think? Drop us a line at webmaster@simpleprop.com and give us some
feedback. Maybe we'll even run your letters in future Gambits. 'The Daily Gambit' is updated every weekday.