Hi guys, Great debate in the other thread about the new NBA dress code. I'm editing an article about a Sports Betting company that has offered to pay for all player's dress code violations. The article is kind of boring write up about a publicity stunt, so I figure I'd spice it up with some Clutchfan quotes. If you have any comments, either regarding the dress code itself, David Stern, specific comments by players, or about what Bodog is doing, please post them in this thread. Fire away! If you would like to just quote yourself from the other Dress Code thread, just copy and paste your comment into this thread. By posting in this thread I will assume that you are giving me the OK to quote you. If you don't want me to quote you, please say so. Also, if you don't give me your name, I'll just quote your user name. *** OH yeah, Bodog also laid out odds on who will violate the dress code first: Allen Iverson (PHI) - 2/5 Marcus Camby (DEN) - 1/1 Josh Childress (ATL) - 10/1 Raja Bell (PHO) - 9/1 Kevin Garnett (MIN) - 4/1 Antonio Davis (NYN) - 10/1 LeBron James (CLE) - 8/1 Shaquille O'Neal (MIA) - 3/1 Ron Artest (IND) - 5/6 Kenyon Martin (DEN) - 3/1 Mike Bibby (SAC) - 7/1 Jason Williams (MIA) - 2/1 Rasheed Wallace (DET) - 3/2 It would be great if you guys could comment on whether you think the odds here are off or not. *** Bodog.com To Pay Allen Iverson's Fines For Dress Code Violations Bodog.com offered today to cover any fines Allen Iverson receives for violating the NBA’s dress code this season. The online gaming and entertainment giant also plans to extend similar offers to all NBA players. Even if Iverson pays his own fines, Bodog.com Founder and CEO Calvin Ayre will match any of the fines levied to the Philadelphia 76ers’ superstar in the form of donations to Iverson’s Crossover Foundation, which supports underprivileged youth in the inner city. “I can understand the frustration felt by the many basketball players who feel that they have been forced to conform with the league’s new dress code,” says Ayre. “Iverson and other NBA players have suggested that they will not abide by the league’s dress code, and Bodog.com will offer to reimburse any fines levied, and match the payment with a donation to each player’s charity of choice.” Ayre was referring to Monday’s announcement by the league that a dress code will go into effect at the start of the regular season on November 1. The basketball pros will be expected to wear business-casual attire whenever they participate in team or league activities, including arriving at games, leaving games, conducting interviews and making promotional appearances. Teams and players will be subject to fines for violating the dress code. The amount of the fines has not yet been announced. Although some teams already have a dress code, the fact that the league has imposed this rule is controversial. Iverson, the league’s leading scorer last season, has said he would fight a dress code. Players such as Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby and Charlotte Bobcats guard Brevin Knight have requested stipends from the league to offset the clothing costs. “I have a great amount of respect for the charitable role Mr. Iverson and other basketball stars play within their communities,” says Ayre. “Many of these sports stars are role models, and actively participate in charities benefiting the underprivileged youth of the American inner cities. There are players who will undoubtedly be fined by the league for dress-code infractions, so it makes sense to put the money to good use.” Bodog has supported a number of charities during the past year. In April 2005, Bodog.com was the major sponsor of the LA Lakers Youth Foundation’s Second Annual Casino Night. A handful of film celebrities, poker professionals and L.A. Lakers were on hand to compete in the charity poker tournament. [/quote]
The dress code does not include owners. How Hypocritical. What's wrong with these owners who feel they are above the league? Do they want the players to pay for their suits or something? I am white so I don't have to wear a suit to look presentable. You are black so you have to wear a suit. Thus, Cuban said: "I certainly will not be wearing a sports coat, a suit or anything that isn't sold on www.mavgear.com. If a player is dressing in a manner the team, or league, feels inappropriate, like in any business relationship, there should be a direct dialogue discussing whatever is at issue. Unfortunately because several owners and their management are unable to establish such relationships, they push the issue to the league office."
Thanks McFan! Keep the opinons coming. There's no judging here. You post it, I print it. (well, with some profanity filters).
Here's one for you: I didn't care about the dress code until the players started whining about it. Now I'm glad they have one. It's such a small thing, but they are acting like it cuts to the heart of who they are. Gimme a ****ing break. I'm sure a lot of these guys are used to having everything handed to them because of their athletic gifts, but this time they lose out. What a tragedy.
What a hater. How childish. How pathetic. You approve of the dress code because the plalyer's don't like. That's your way to get back at them, like they've done something to you, moron
i agree it doesnt matter but thats taking away from the players freedom of speech but at the same time .. its like the workplace, you have to wear good clothes to work.......
lol, you're way off base as usual. I don't care about the dress code. I thought how they dressed was fine for the most part before. But their little stink about it is stupid and will ultimately be fruitless. And I didn't institute the dress code dumbass.
I don't hate the players. I hate the whining, accusations, and innuendo by them and some of the media that's on "their side". This is such a non-issue that it's pathetic. And don't question my awesome athletic gifts. I can toss midgets with the best of them.
So they dress OK, but they sould be punished because they're black and rich. They can't speak up either. You want them to be obedient and uncomfortable Nothing wrong with that CHRON: Had the league's new dress code been in effect on Monday in Laredo, the Rockets' Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming would have been in violation for failing to wear jackets on the bench
You don't have to be a rocket scientist (no pun) to comprehend the undertones. The implications are very clear.
No harm can come out of having a dress code. This will only help the league in general. Sure, one of the players' creative outlets is now gone, but this will help create a better image of the NBA. Which in the end, will be better for business, which means that these players will probably get paid even more. They owe almost everything they have to the NBA, why keep fighting against it on something as meaningless as a dress code? Bottom line is: the NBA is a business, and thus it's employees should look and act like businessmen.
Great stuff guys, great stuff. This is what I've got so far. I'm quoting everyone, except for the comments directed to another poster. Those are hard to present as quotes. Keep them coming! I'm going to bed but I'll catch the rest of the comments tomorrow and update the page.
This issue has gotten out of hand. What was originally just a poorly thought out public relations move has turned into calls of racism and enforcing civility. My personal opinion is that this dress code was probably implemented to help make its players seem "more professional" and "more presentable" to the mainstream television audience that the NBA wants more of. The NBA is probably the most unique of the three main sports in that it is the only one with overwhelming minority participation. Consequently, many african american players wear clothes that they are more comfortable with and for some that doesn't fit with the dominant mainstream conception of what is the "right" type of clothing. I've heard people and read posts demanding more "professionalism" whatever that means. This is little more than a thinly veiled attempt to mandate dress requirements that fit with mainstream society. If the NBA wants to do this, then they might as well just come out and say "yes we need more fans so we'll just pick some minor issue to help boost our image." Just let the players wear what they want. Putting a suit on Allen Iverson won't stop him from being who he is or saying what he is going to say. There is clear resentment from players about this policy and since this probably affects them the most, I suggest we defer to their opinion.
It's one thing to ask the players to wear suits/sportscoats on the sidelines. But now that it's come out that players are being barred from wearing chains/pendants as well, that to me is going beyond just wanting to maintain a formal dress code. That is clearly targeting young black male hip-hop culture with the aim of keeping it under covers from the viewing audience.
