NEW YORK – There will be no more dress down days in the NBA (search).
The league announced in a memo to teams on Monday that a minimum dress code will go into effect at the start of the regular season on Nov. 1.
Players will be expected to wear business casual attire whenever they participate in team or league activities, including arriving at games, leaving games and making promotional or other appearances.
"If they're trying to change the image of league, that's cool," Suns forward Shawn Marion (search) said.
While the league may be trying to present a better image to its corporate partners, some of its players fear that they may lose out on the core fan base.
"We don't really sell to big business," Suns guard Raja Bell (search) said. "We sell to kids and people who are into the NBA hip-hop world. They may be marketing to the wrong people with this."
Some teams already have their own dress code in place.
Portland coach Nate McMillian is known for his strict rules, including bans on headbands and on cell phones on the team bus.
"It's important that the players understand they have to respect the game," McMillian said in August. "They have to respect the league. And they have to respect the fans. You must be a professional at all times."
Players will no longer be able to wear:
— Sleveless shirts
— Shorts
— T-shirts
— 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).
Also jerseys and baseball caps will no longer be acceptable attire for postgame press conference.
"I think there needs to be some style improvement but at the same time it has to be with in reasons," Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett said.
Players will also now be required to wear a sport coat on the bench when they are not in uniform. The NBA already requires its coaches to wear sport coats, dress shirts, slacks and shoes on the bench.
"I think it is appropriate, definitely, on the bench," Marion said. "I think you should be in a nice shirt and slacks."
However, the new dress code may not be practical for every NBA player, especially Garnett and his teammates who live in the cold Midwest.
"Not everyone lives in Minneapolis going out in 20 below," he said. "Not everyone wants to be in a suit and jacket. Hopefully they can go 50-50."
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