NBA requires LaMelo Ball to cover tattoo, citing policy against exposing commercial logos
The NBA is requiring Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball to cover a tattoo below his left ear that the league insists violates rules against exposing commercial logos on players’ bodies — a policy that sources close to Ball contend has been infrequently enforced. Ball has the initials “LF” tattooed on his body, short for LaFrance — his middle name, and now, his clothing brand.
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN
Source: Adrian Wojnarowski @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
NBA making a stink about LaMelo Ball’s tattoo 90 minutes before Miles Bridges returns doesn’t seem like a coincidence. – 5:41 PM
NBA making a stink about LaMelo Ball’s tattoo 90 minutes before Miles Bridges returns doesn’t seem like a coincidence. – 5:41 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn
ESPN story: The NBA is requiring LaMelo Ball to cover a tattoo below his left ear that the league insists violates rules against exposing commercial logos on players’ bodies – a policy that sources close to Ball contend has been infrequently enforced. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 5:35 PM
ESPN story: The NBA is requiring LaMelo Ball to cover a tattoo below his left ear that the league insists violates rules against exposing commercial logos on players’ bodies – a policy that sources close to Ball contend has been infrequently enforced. espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 5:35 PM
Rod Boone @rodboone
Steve Clifford said Brandon Miller and Gordon Hayward are back in the starting lineup. LaMelo, PJ Washington and Mark Williams round out the starting unit. Miles Bridges is coming off the bench as expected. pic.twitter.com/rpkgKZx0bd – 5:19 PM
Steve Clifford said Brandon Miller and Gordon Hayward are back in the starting lineup. LaMelo, PJ Washington and Mark Williams round out the starting unit. Miles Bridges is coming off the bench as expected. pic.twitter.com/rpkgKZx0bd – 5:19 PM
James Plowright @British_Buzz
There are 8 separate clips here of various LaMelo Ball plays put together by @iohandles.
How many do you think should have been been whistled for fouls on LaMelo Ball?
pic.twitter.com/gf6IFr4cTL – 1:36 AM
There are 8 separate clips here of various LaMelo Ball plays put together by @iohandles.
How many do you think should have been been whistled for fouls on LaMelo Ball?
pic.twitter.com/gf6IFr4cTL – 1:36 AM
Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Interesting note about notion of Brandon Ingram dribbling too much before shooting — he’s the best at it. Player FG% with 7+ dribbles (over 5.0 FGA):
1. BI (60.0%)
2. Haliburton (57.4%)
3. Cam Thomas (56.5%)
And Fox, SGA, Ant, Rozier, Cade, LaMelo, Luka, Steph & Maxey follow. – 3:24 PM
Interesting note about notion of Brandon Ingram dribbling too much before shooting — he’s the best at it. Player FG% with 7+ dribbles (over 5.0 FGA):
1. BI (60.0%)
2. Haliburton (57.4%)
3. Cam Thomas (56.5%)
And Fox, SGA, Ant, Rozier, Cade, LaMelo, Luka, Steph & Maxey follow. – 3:24 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Cade Cunningham this season:
More points than…
— Dame
— PG13
— LeBron
— LaVine
— DeMar
— Brunson
— Trae
— Kawhi
— Zion
— Kyrie
More assists than…
— Luka
— LaMelo
— CP3
— Sabonis
— Giddey
— VanVleet
— LeBron
— Maxey
— Dejounte
— Westbrook
statmuse.com/nba/player/cad… – 12:35 PM
Cade Cunningham this season:
More points than…
— Dame
— PG13
— LeBron
— LaVine
— DeMar
— Brunson
— Trae
— Kawhi
— Zion
— Kyrie
More assists than…
— Luka
— LaMelo
— CP3
— Sabonis
— Giddey
— VanVleet
— LeBron
— Maxey
— Dejounte
— Westbrook
statmuse.com/nba/player/cad… – 12:35 PM
Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Haywood Highsmith defending LaMelo Ball and PJ Washington last night. Both went 3 for 11 against him. Highsmith also forced two turnovers and recorded a block. – 9:13 AM
Haywood Highsmith defending LaMelo Ball and PJ Washington last night. Both went 3 for 11 against him. Highsmith also forced two turnovers and recorded a block. – 9:13 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Hornets’ starting lineup tonight vs. visiting Heat: Mark Williams, JT Thor, P.J. Washington, LaMelo Ball, Theo Maledon. No, really. – 6:37 PM
Hornets’ starting lineup tonight vs. visiting Heat: Mark Williams, JT Thor, P.J. Washington, LaMelo Ball, Theo Maledon. No, really. – 6:37 PM
Rod Boone @rodboone
Here’s tonight’s starting lineups. Theo Maledon is in the backcourt with LaMelo. pic.twitter.com/Y9DvRCCRet – 6:35 PM
Here’s tonight’s starting lineups. Theo Maledon is in the backcourt with LaMelo. pic.twitter.com/Y9DvRCCRet – 6:35 PM
More on this storyline
Bobby Marks: Here is the language in the NBA Operations Manual (2) Other than as may be permitted by Paragraph A.1.h(1) above, a player may not, during any NBA game, display any commercial, promotional, or charitable name, mark, logo or other identification, including, but not limited to, on his uniform, on his body, in his hair, or otherwise. -via Twitter @BobbyMarks42 / November 17, 2023
The NBA and Ball have had conversations over the past several weeks regarding the tattoo, and Ball began covering it up prior to Tuesday’s loss to Miami to avoid league fines, sources told ESPN. He’s expected to continue covering it up for Friday night’s in-season tournament game against Milwaukee. The sides are expected to keep discussing short- and long-term resolutions to the issue. -via ESPN / November 17, 2023
In a statement to ESPN, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said: “Per the (Collective Bargaining Agreement), players are prohibited from displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or in their hair during games. We try to enforce the rule reasonably, in accordance with its purpose, and taking into account players’ efforts to express themselves in a non-commercial manner. But LaMelo Ball’s neck tattoo is in obvious violation of the rule and, accordingly, he’s required to cover it.” -via ESPN / November 17, 2023