Was the implemenation of the NBA dress code the right thing to do?

Running Head : Implementation of the NBA dress code

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The National basketball Association commissioner David Stern in 2005 implemented the controversial policy of the NBA dress code . Prior to this time the NBA had gone without any stipulated dress code . This he said was perplexing because the NBA being a business and operating on an international scale had to have a distinct code to distinguish itself as a professional body

The New dress code is somewhat business casual . In this dress code policy

the players are forbidden from wearing any hanging jewelry medallions or pendants outside their cloths , headgear , du-rags or sneakers and timberland boots while attending any NBA affiliated events However , pair of jeans is permitted and causal smart shirts . Failure to abide to this dress code is liable to fines or suspension from the NBA (Graves , 2005

This new dress code policy elicited mixed reactions as others felt that it carried with it a racist connotation . This is because the African Americans are the ones fond of wearing hanging jewelry or what is known as `blings ' and headgear . It is part of their hip hop culture . Mr . Stern defended his position saying that this was not the case but rather it was meant to ensure that the NBA players portray a professional image of their profession so that the right message is sent to young aspiring athletes and professional basketball players (Shields Graff , 2006

From that perspective it seems that the implementation of the Dress code was the right thing to do . The NBA players are successful and wealthy people hence they are viewed as icons or role models by society In many occasions the NBA players have been used as ambassadors of promoting the sport and also bringing about positive change in the community

A case in point is legendary Michael Jordan , Shaquille O 'Neal , Magic Johnson and Dave Bing among others . These people were excellent players and they helped to raise the standards of professional basketball . They made it a prestigious sport that was not just for any Tom Dick and Harry (amateurs ) but for the best players in the field . The business suits they donned off the court boosted the professional image . A dress code such as that proposed by David Stern raises the perception of the players and the game . Arguably , `professionalism through professional image is what makes the game (Earl Graves , 2005 , para .3

Opposing arguments to the implemented NBA dress code posit that professionalism is not a function of how one appears off the basketball court but rather is as a result of expertise , exceptional skills and experience . It has nothing to do with what one wears . This is the distinction between an amateur and a professional player . Part of this argument is true in that the skills and proficiency in the game is the core attribute of professional players . In fact this is what they get paid for (Mcdill , 2006

theless this is not the only factor...