Charlotte Hornets star player, LaMelo Ball, has been told by the NBA to cover up his new neck tattoo due to a violation of league policy. The tattoo, which features the initials “LF” just below his left ear, represents his middle name and promotes his LaFrancé clothing line.
Key Takeaway
LaMelo Ball has been instructed by the NBA to cover up his neck tattoo, which violates the league’s policy on displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on players’ bodies during games. Ball is currently in discussions with the league to find an alternative solution.
The NBA’s decision to enforce its rule on displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on players’ bodies during games has resulted in Ball having to cover up the tattoo. NBA spokesman Tim Frank explained that the league tries to enforce the rule reasonably while considering players’ desire to express themselves non-commercially. However, in this case, Ball’s neck tattoo clearly violates the policy, necessitating its concealment.
Ball has reportedly been in talks with the league, aiming to find an alternative solution to this issue. This situation mirrors what his older brother, Lonzo Ball, faced in 2018 when he had to cover up a “Big Baller Brand” tattoo on his arm.
Fortunately, LaMelo Ball recently signed a $260 million contract extension with the Charlotte Hornets in July, providing him with ample financial resources to explore creative fixes if the NBA does not budge on their ruling.
