Time to get past the Dress Code stuff. It is what it is. Which is not that big a deal.
Its a shame the owners let it come to this, because it created a distraction and took attention away from our NBA Cares program. ( This is a trend analysis comparing blog mentions of each)
Some players arent going to like it, but they will comply. Some guys wont care because they wear suits anyway. The one thing I have to go on the record as saying is that the Dress Codeid not racist. Stephen Jackson is wrong. Ugly Wrong. The Dress Code may be Ageism (if thats a real word), but racist it was not.
This was no different than those moralistswho tried to ban Elvis from the Ed Sullivan show, which lead toElvis only being shown from the waist up, for fear his wiggling hips might corrupt America. It earned him the nicknameElvis the Pelvis.
Now grandmothers listen to Elvis gladly. Im sure the same people who think a dress code is a neccesity in the NBA, consider Elvissafe music, hope their grandkids listento it and have completely forgotten all the sex, drugs and rock n roll that Elvis lived by. Hypocritical. In many ways. Its amazing how much context we lose as we age. The good ole days, never were, but we sure want them to be.
There is a long , long list of examples over the past 50 years of generational mistrust, and that is exactly what the NBA Dress code is all about. This isnt about race. Its about generational disconnect and the NBA didnt know any other way to deal with it. And thats the end of it.
I think several people have overlooked the fact that the NBA is simply trying to sell a product. If the NBA feels that having the players (their employees, mind you) look more professionally off the court, what’s the problem?
Comment by runescape money -
If the white consumers (who are making many blacks athletes very wealthy) may be more apt to pay attention to – perhaps even attend an NBA game – because the players come across as more professional off the court, the move benefits all involved.
Comment by wow powerleveling -
very good!!
Comment by 11nong -
This blog is awesome!
Good post…
http://netWallpapers.com
http://tradealoan.com
Comment by Netpowersoft -
jason whitlock’s kansas city star article hits the nail on the head! it’s not about race…just good marketing.
Comment by AMS -
While there are some pretty good points posted above for both sides of the Dress Code debate, the bottom line is that it comes down to business and how you ultimately want to market your product.
I came across Patricia McLaughlin’s column on philly.com yesterday which was very critical of the Dress Code. She writes that the NBA misses the point with this rule, implementing it for the wrong people, for the wrong reasons. She ends her article by writing, “We know how the old guys who run the NBA see it, but what about the fans they’re trying to impress? Maybe more to the point, what about the potential fans?”
I also read a kansascity.com article recently that addresses those questions perfectly. The Dress Code is to protect the image of the players and the league and therefore is all about business and marketing.
Comment by Kevin -
I don’t understand the fuss. It’s not a big deal. I read the dress code policy. It’s very similar to the dress code policy of most corporations and government offices. I don’t get compensated for being my suits and business casual clothing. I don’t get a tax write-off for my purchases. I understand perfectly that when I attend business events, whether during regular business hours or not, I represent my office. My employees understand that also. No big deal.
Comment by Mary -
What’s next? Ban certain hairstyles? Will everyone, black and white, have to sport the David Stern side-part?
Comment by Dan -
I’m confused about the tax thing. What does it mean that the players have to pay taxes in every state? Can someone please explain what that means?
Biggie was right, “the more money we come across, the more problems we see”. Big ups to Brooklyn. Word.
Comment by Tim -
You make mention of the fact that taxes have to be paid in every state that a player plays in. Is it true that NBA players have to pay taxes in Dallas and Cleveland when the Mavericks play a game in Cleveland? With all of this I don’t see how rookies and NBDL free agents can be asked to meet the new dress code requirements on their own.
Comment by Jeff Cav -
Thought I’d chime in with (hopefully) a new twist on the whole dress code issue. Love the blog!
Don’t you think it’s a bit ironic (and a conflict of interest) that the “secondary employer” of many of the NBA’s stars (e.g. Nike, Reebok, Addidas, etc.) have created and invested in some of the very player-branded shoes/clothes that are now banned by the NBA on the sidelines? Many of these companies are even promoting their wares via the players alongside images and/or songs that often seem to glorify the “thug” image. If the NBA is really concerned about its image then how about asking these companies to change how the players in its billboards, commercials, and ads are portrayed? Do you really think that the companies would do so? I think that the players have every right to complain about the dress code because they have been asked by the NBA to change the very image that is apparently at somewhat useful in getting some of that lucrative “secondary employment”. I’m not sure where I stand on the issue but I think that both sides have legitimate complaints and that there are business issues on both sides and is not just a simple ageism issue. Your thoughts?
Finally a couple of questions as a corollary to the above thoughts:
Would Allen Iverson be as famous without his shoe/apparel commercials/ads? Would he be paid as well by the shoe companies if he dressed in suits all the time? Will his sponsors pay his dress-code fines so that he can wear their apparel (at the very least to garner some “cheap” media coverage)? I’ve seen a lot of people wear Jordan shoes, shirts, and pants but I’ve never seen a suit with Jordan’s logo on it (even though nowadays I see him in a suit more often than I do decked out ready play ball).
Comment by Ethan -
Beware of what you ask for!
I think it would serve Mr. Stern right, if players took to wearing pimp suits and carrying pimp canes and cups. It would fit the dress-code.
Comment by LaMont -
The dress code itself is fine. Whether it’s really worthwhile, who knows? I do think it’s a good idea for players on the bench. Whether it’s so necessary for players coming into Oklahoma City or Portland at 2:30 a.m., or walking into the arena, I’m not so sure. Maybe some players will find that they can’t attract a better class of groupie when they are dressed better.
But the problem I had with the code was the dictatorial manner in which David Stern imposed it. Once the new CBA was approved, he had the remainder of the off-season to address this issue. It could have been negotiated, or, at least, the players could have had some advance warning. Instead, he drops the bomb during training camp.
While I don’t think this was racist, I could see where players found either the code itself, or the controlling manner in which it was imposed, to have a whiff of racism. Because that was what this really was about — Stern showing that he’s in control.
While maybe he showed that, this move may backfire. What better publicity for the NBA than to have the commissioner come down on his players? Shouldn’t Stern be finding ways to celebrate his players, not denegrate them? It reminds me of how baseball owners try to propogate the image of spoiled and greedy ballplayers. How does this help your business???
Comment by Mike Bennett -
The dress code rule is ridiculous. People who wear suits to work have that in place as their “uniform”, a basketball player’s “uniform” is his uniform. It shouldn’t matter what players do outside of the basketball court even if it is for the NBA. Commissioner Stern needs to focus on more important issues rather than drift off on controversial ones.
Comment by Walid Matar -
Shoot MoFo. We hardly have clothes in Colombia and we don’t even play basketball so I don’t even know why I’m even writing this…and yeah, like Sara Evans said. We’s role models ,man. We’s Role models.
Comment by Shakira -
It is time to move on but all of us in celebrity should realize we are role models.
Comment by Sara Evans -
In commenting about the dress code/NBA image, I didn’t touch on your comments about how the league is marketed (players vs. the game itself)
One reason football is so popular is that the action moves quickly, but there is enough of a pause to absorb what you’ve seen and consider what will happen. (Baseball has the pauses, but not the action.) Basketball and hockey, however, move too quickly to absorb the strategy. In addition, in the NBA, the limits on the game (24-second clock, defensive limitations) make every game look like every other. I was very interested in the NBA in the 70s; now I find it boring as all hell. (I love the college game, by contrast, because you do see different strategy, different styles of play — especially at the mid-major levels — and best of all, EMOTION! I think a lot of fans are turned off by the don’t-give-a-damn attitude the players seem to exude; that may not be the case, and they really care. But it’s never shown in a way the fans can appreciate.
I appreciate the athleticism of NBA players; it’s the game they play that is boring and too similar from game to game. With the exception of a few players, you could have the two teams switch uniforms at halftime and I don’t think the average fan could tell the difference.
(Pause here for the usual rant about ticket prices being too damn high for the average fan to afford anything but nosebleed seats.)
You’re innovative. You “think different” as the ads used to say. How about some ways to change the image of the NBA that go beyond a dress code? (I think actually punishing players with something more than a few games suspension and a fine that is a tenth of their salary but is more than most of us make in a year might be a start. One of my favorite sayings is “if you can discipline yourself, no one will have to do it for you.” I see little off-court self-discipline.
Comment by Ray Barrington -
I’m guessing you heard that Commish Stern specifically mentioned your personal dress code yesterday while on the ‘Mike & The Mad Dog’ radio show, and how you were just as much about getting yourself screen than you were about the team, etc. He said something to the effect of “I’ll work on that next,” when discussing your choice of gear to wear on game days.
Got a bit of a kick out of that, frankly.
Comment by Tom -
Mr. Cuban,
I have been visiting your site for around a year, and this is the first time I have felt pressed to post anything. I generally agree with what you say; I agree with you also about the dress code issue.
My real comment is about media coverage of the NBA (Oct 19th post). I honestly do not believe that today’s annoucers or analysists can break down an NBA defense or begin to start trying to analyze a basketball offense. Not that these people are not intelligent, but the systems are complicated and majority of the media does not understand how off ball swings or shifts force defenders to move.
It is just easier to say A.I. broke [insert defender’s name]’s ankles with his “crossover”.
Comment by Matthew Whittaker -
Whatever happened to the Chia Mavs? You know, Dirk, Steve, and Fin with alf alfa sprouts growing out of their head.
Please Respond and explain to your readers what I’m talking about.
If you have no idea what I’m talking about refer back to one of your Mark Cuban Show episodes.
P.S. Remember the time that dude came on your show and wanted to make money by letting people punch and kick him. You paid him $1 to let someone in your audience kick him in the n*ts. Man that was funny. He came about two inches off the ground.
P.P.S. How about the time Dennis Rodman wanted to fight David Stern because he said he was out to get him. He said ” Let’s get into the ring. He gets naked, I get naked and let’s go in and get it on, brother.” You remember that? Damn that was funny!
(Just trying to get people to shut up about the dress code.)
Comment by Scott -
I agree, let us all move on. I look forward to more great posts.
oh, and the NBA Cares program *does* rock! I’m glad you gave mention to it.
Comment by Mike C -
After reading several of the posts above, I’ve been compelled to write a few things:
First, in one of the above posts, a writer makes a comparison of the NBA with those involved in corporate America scandals (Ken Lay et al). That analogy was completely fallacious. First, there are thousands more CEOs and corporate executives than NBA players. Would you like to compare the absolute number of murders in NYC with that of Fargo, North Dakota, also? Secondly, are you really trying to say that certain individuals who wear suits to work have committed crimes and hence there is no reason to dress “professionally?” If that’s your logic, I think you’re going to have a hard time picking out an outfit to wear to work tomorrow.
Also, I think several people have overlooked the fact that the NBA is simply trying to sell a product. If the NBA feels that having the players (their employees, mind you) look more professionally off the court, what’s the problem?
And to all those who feel race is the central issue: Grow up! Last time I checked, most of the players are black and most of the fans in the stands are white. If the white consumers (who are making many blacks athletes very wealthy) may be more apt to pay attention to – perhaps even attend an NBA game – because the players come across as more professional off the court, the move benefits all involved. (And to all the dissenters who will cry about freedom of expression etc, since when do employees have the right to wear whatever they want?)
Comment by David -
Mr. Cuban, 10-19-2005
About the dress code….
The material should be BLACK and WHITE only!!! There are some beautiful original unique designs on our web site. http://home.alliancecable.net/~drybedoc. Especially on the font, shapes and bar code pages. The Seal and Pyramid pages would work great for the MAVS Coat of Arms!!! I’ve been requesting you to check out our site. I’ll keep pursuing that goal… You will be impressed. Drybedoc is a cybersecurity system and much more!! If you are interested in the system there are many more processes that must be shown in a demonstration. Our Mav team would definitely stand out….looking sharp and different. Each player could even have their own name written in Drybedoc. No one else would ever have that look EXCEPT the Mavs. “GO MAVS GO..ALL THE WAY!!
10-20-2005
Mr. Cuban….. I read your blog post and clicked on markcuban@icerocket.com. WOW!!! WHAT A SURPRISE I GOT!!?? I really thought it was a joke until I saw the warning: Sexually Explicit Content. I ever tried it several times…the same. I couldn’t believe you have any part in that. I then typed in your Ice Rocket site and it worked ???!!! Whats up with that?? Maybe my computer? A good reason you should check out our site.
Yes, I am a grandmother. I was16 when Elvis and Johnny Cash performed at the Robinson Auditorium in Little Rock, AR…many moons ago (you weren’t even born)!? We were very young back then!! I have carried their BLACK & White glossy photos everywhere with me … on our adventures to the top of the world, all over Alaska for 22 yrs. and to here. They were autographed personally to me!
Yes, back in the 50’s…they really were the good ‘ole days!!!
Thanks for letting me walk down ‘memory lane.’ Hope it wasn’t too much.
That’s what it’s all about isn’t it?
Sincerely,
Grace
(501) 329-4192
Conway, AR
Comment by Grace -
What the owners (worked hard to make it big) have done to professional basketball invites the players (worked harder to make it to the NBA)to start another league for themselves for the people (fans who also work hard to pay for the tickets and merchandise) who are more interested in great 5 on 5 basketball than who’s wearing what, when and why.
If content is king Mark, then maybe the owners and the fans should respect that content (the players are the content here) and let them be. No one tells Sting or Elton John what to ware when they are at work, that would be the military and folks who work on Wall St.
If a NBA player can afford the bling, then that is what he should ware where ever he wants and when ever he wants. Why can’t the owner(s) of a sports team be a good one? Mark… you d man. Hope all your dreams come true! For many who admire what you have done… this is one of ours (your blog!).
Comment by Tony Giallourakis -
I think you are right about the ageism, Mark. t Those who think that the players who dress a certain way look like thugs are from a different generation. I see somebody in baggy pants, I don’t think they are a thug, but that’s not because I’m any more enlightened than anybody else. It’s because I grew up in a time, place, and culture where wearing baggy jeans, large white t’s, and chains doesn’t really say anything about you, except that you are part of a younger generation.
Having said all that, these guys aren’t white collar businessmen. They are not in a board room culture. They are entertainers. Why should we expect them to dress like Donald Trump? I write for a living, and I haven’t worn socks and shoes in about seven months. Why? It’s not necessary to help me succeed as a writer.
Comment by jamie doom -
Mark, I disagree. It’s not racism or sexism. It’s about control. And that’s precisely what has made it a hot-button issue. Listening to sports-talk radio yesterday, opinion seems evenly divided between those who like control and structure and those who don’t. Half the callers were like, “when I show up for my shift at McDonalds, I have to wear a uniform, they should too”. The other half agree with Tim Duncan’s sentiments. Most thought the race angle was a little over the top. That’s refreshing.
This one hits close to home for me. I quit a very well paying job three days after the “boss” decided that I should not go off premises for my lunch. At the time, I was really pissed off at the attempt to control me. But that’s not why I quit. I quit because that kind of attitude from the top was inappropriate for the enterprise (a startup). I knew if it was that important that I stay for on premises for lunch, the business was headed for failure. Guess what? 6 months later, people weren’t getting paychecks. I bailed at the right time. Now, I’m not suggesting that the players or owners who know in their hearts how stupid this thing is should bail. But it may be time to undermine Stern’s authority to pull this kind of stupid stuff. I’d love to see a few players just ignore it and have lawyers ready to sue. The NBA isn’t McDonalds.
Comment by Brad Hutchings -
yo, feel you on the entire “ageism” deal, however, don’t you think it only takes $60 bucks to get a pair of slacks and a polo shirt?
i make 40K per year and seem to have enough money to get myself a weeks worth of business casual threads, so, can’t sympathsize with rookies making at least 4x as much money as me not being able to meet the code. If rooks wanna save, they can go to JC Penny, but of course, that probly ain’t bling enough for some players. Put it this way, if you told me i had to wear a suit to work for your company, hell, if i didn’t, would i still be working there?
Comment by eugene -
Is the dress code a really big deal? NO, but then it is a lame attempt at shoring up public support. Yet I can’t remember when an NBA player has been on trial for murder. Yet as Mark says, the NFL just keeps humming along even with recent murder trials AND a conviction.
HMmm,
Ken Lay and Enron buddies
Dennis Kozlowski at Tyco
the Rigas family of Adelphia Communications
are just a few who I am sure dressed the way
Stern wants the players to dress.
peace
jeff
Comment by Jeff -
All I can say is…ITS ABOUT TIME! The NBA needs to continue to protect its image.
Comment by Rick Lewallen -
Mr. Cuban,
I think it’s good to move on maybe to a subject of health care and long term disability insurance for players that are in some way covered at least in the standard 80/20 type coverage that typical employees receive.
They (the players) are employees right? And if the league is going to impose a dress code and expect them to act like employees why not provide basic employee compensations, Maybe even a 401k type of plan to protect the guys for the long term?
Your a money man maybe you can enlighten those of us who are to this point unaware of the in’s and out’s of that aspect of the “players” employment..
Oh and one other thing if it’s mandatory that they dress in a certain uniform manner wouldn’t that make the purchases of those uniforms subject to an itemized deduction on tax returns?
Just curious..
K.King
P.S
Next time you talk to Mike tell him he still owes me $5 for that Megan Ashford bet from the 8th grade..ha!x2
Comment by Kwesi King -
Mr. Cuban,
I think it’s good to move on maybe to a subject of health care and long term disability insurance for players that are in some way covered at least in the standard 80/20 type coverage that typical employees receive.
They (the players) are employees right? And if the league is going to impose a dress code and expect them to act like employees why not provide basic employee compensations, Maybe even a 401k type of plan to protect the guys for the long term?
Your a money man maybe you can enlighten those of us who are to this point unaware of the in’s and out’s of that aspect of the “players” employment..
Oh and one other thing if it’s mandatory that they dress in a certain uniform manner wouldn’t that make the purchases of those uniforms subject to an itemized deduction on tax returns?
Just curious..
K.King
P.S
Next time you talk to Mike tell him he still owes me $5 for that Megan Ashford bet from the 8th grade..ha!x2
Comment by Kwesi King -
Baseball had steroids, so the NBA needed something to incite the fans. It all makes sense now.
Comment by monkeyinabox -
Mark I couldn’t agree more!
Comment by Marvin -
Awesome post! I couldn’t agree more. I’m still in awe of this blog. You’re an icon in the small entrepreneur’s world, and will be invaluable mentorship to us! It’d be amazing if others like Steve Jobs, or Jerry Greenfield, Ben Cohen, et al followed your example!
Comment by Kirk -