The National Basketball Association (NBA) has sanctioned a star player’s tattoo, citing a “no commercial logo” clause.
ESPN reported on the 18th (local time) that the NBA required Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball to cover the tattoo below his left ear.
It is highly unusual for a sports league in the United States, which is known for its tolerance of tattoos, to sanction a player for a tattoo.
Nevertheless, the NBA took action against Ball’s tattoo because it believes it has a “commercial intent.
The tattoo features the English initials “LF,” which stands for Ball’s middle name, LaFrance, and the name of his clothing brand.
“Under the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the players, players are prohibited from displaying commercial or corporate logos on their bodies or heads during games,” the NBA said, adding, “We have tried to reasonably enforce this rule in light of players’ efforts to express themselves in a non-commercial manner, but Ball’s neck tattoo clearly violates the rule and must be covered.”
Ball’s camp reportedly argued that the initials “LF” were the name of his close uncle and that he had been using them since before the clothing brand launched.
They also argued that other players have gotten corporate logos as tattoos in the past.
However, the NBA countered that none of the players Ball cited had endorsement deals with the company.
Ball agreed to comply with the NBA’s demands and began covering up the tattoo during a game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 15.
He then took the court at home against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 18 with blue tape under his left ear.
Ball scored 37 points, the most for either team that night, but Charlotte lost 99-130 to Milwaukee. 파워볼