LaMelo Ball Forced to Cover ‘LF’ Tattoo During NBA Games
In a league where players often sport colourful and varied inks, LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets is forced to conceal his ‘LF’ tattoo – a surprisingly strict rule coming from the NBA.
Melo’s Tattoo Controversy
During the Hornets’ recent loss to the Miami Heat, Ball was seen sporting a bandage on his neck, concealing the ‘LF’ tattoo which stands for “Loyalty Forever”. Here is why it happened:
- League rules prohibit players from displaying any commercial logos or corporate insignia on their bodies during games unless they have a specific endorsement deal.
- The ‘LF’ design, although not directly associated with a corporation, still falls within the professional guidelines imposed by the NBA.
NBA Dress Code
Strict dress code rules were introduced by then NBA Commissioner David Stern in 2005 to deal with concerns about the league’s image:
- The dress code requires NBA players to dress in “business casual” attire during league activities and bans tattoos with corporate logos or commercial trade names.
- While many players have pushed these boundaries, the NBA has remained firm on its position, showing that rules are strictly enforced.
What’s Next for LaMelo?
As for LaMelo Ball, it appears he will continue to don the bandage on game days – a small price to pay when playing the sport he loves in the NBA.
- His ‘LF’ tattoo cover-up did not seem to affect his on-court performance.
- It will be interesting to see if other players are also held to the same strict letter of the rules in the future.
Original article: https://www.si.com/nba/2023/11/17/lamelo-ball-lf-neck-tattoo-violates-nba-rule-charlotte-hornets
