In 2005, the National Basketball Association (NBA) implemented a new dress code for its players. Commissioner David Stern established this policy to ensure players represent the NBA League in a professional manner, particularly when they are participating in team or leage business. The following is a list of items that players are not allowed to wear: -Sleeveless shirts -Shorts -T-shirts, jerseys, or sports apparel (unless appropriate for the event [e.g., a basketball clinic], team-identified, and approved by the team) -Headgear of any kind while a players 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 the evnt or appearance, team-identified and approved by the team) -Chains, pendants, or medallions worn over the player's clothes -Sunglasses while indoors -Headphones ( other than on the team bus or plane, or in the team locker room) The following is a list of the required "Business Casual" attire: -A long-orshort sleeved dress shirt (collared or turtleneck), and/or a sweater -Dress slacks, Khaki pants, or dress jeans -Approriate shoes and socks, including dress shoes, dress boots, or other presentable shoes, but not including sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or work boots.
Exercise Circle clothing and adornment which you feel may communicate the players' dimension(s) of diversity. On a sheet of paper, write down the item(s). Next to each item, write the dimension that it could communicate. Next to the dimension, write the protected class (taken from any of the legislation discussed in this chapter), if any, to which it can be linked.
Discussin Questions:
1) Why did you identify the item(s), the dimension(s), and the protected classe(s)?
2) Do you believe this is a case of physical appearance stigmatizing? Why or why not?