New NBA Dress Code Racist?

I have a very hard time sympathizing with multi-millionaire athletes who throw temper tantrums whenever they can't have their way.

The uproar resulting from the National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern's announcement of a new dress code for NBA players is a case in point. According to the new dress code, players are required to wear business casual attire whenever engaged in team or league business.

This includes:

A long or short-sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck) and/or a sweater;

Dress slacks, khaki pants, or dress pants;

Appropriate shoes and socks, including shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.

Players in attendance at games but not in uniform are required to dress business casual as well. Excluded attire include:

Sleeveless shirts;

Shorts;

T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for an event, such as a basketball clinic, team-identified, and team-approved;

Headgear of any kind while a player is sitting on the bench or in the stands at a game, during media interviews, or during a team or league event or appearance (unless appropriate for said event or appearance, team-identified and team-approved);

Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes - commonly called "bling";
Headphones (other than on the team bus or plan, or in the team locker room).

Some players, however, including Indiana Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, , Philadelphia's Allen Iverson, Boston Celtics player Paul Pierce, Golden State's Jason Richardson, say the new rule is a slap in the face of black hip-hop culture, and is, thus, racist.

Says Iverson, "Basically, you're saying, 'Don't dress hip hop.' What does a chain have to do with your outfit? A lot of guys wear chains for personal reasons. I have a chain with my mom's name on it, my kids' names on it, a chain with my man that passed away on it. I don't think that's right for people to say that I can't wear that and I can't express it. It's just not right. I think they went way overboard with it."

The Denver Nuggets' Marcus Camby takes the cake: "I don't see it happening unless every NBA player is given a stipend to buy clothes. Guys who haven't been wearing suits and don't own suits, it will be really hard to get them in time for the season (needing to be specially made for tall players)."

The average NBA player earns around $4.5 millions a year (with a league minimum of $385,000), and Camby needs a "stipend" to comply with the new dress code.

Yeah, right.

As much as he might not like it, though, Pacers guard Stephen Jackson, who was suspended for 30 games last year for his role in the November 2004 fight between Pacers players and Detroit Pistons fans in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has apparently learned his lesson and doesn't plan on bucking the system. “You have to listen to the people who employ you,” he said. “The people who are paying us make the rules. You need to abide by the rules or don’t work. I want to work.” Smart man.

Given the sagging NBA TV ratings and revenues - directly related to last November's basket brawl - David Stern is trying to restore a modicum of respect and dignity into ailing league. This new dress code, in my opinion, is a step in the right direction. Furthermore, employers have every right to make policies regarding the appearance of their employees. It's just good business.

Players critical of the new dress code need to stop whining and start acting like the PROFESSIONALS that they are paid millions of dollars a year to be. Check the bling at the door.