NBA says Hornets’ LaMelo Ball must cover ‘LF’ tattoo, cites policy\u060c<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
Adrian Wojnarowski, Senior NBA InsiderNovember 17, 2023, 10:29 p.m.<\/span><\/p>\n
Close<\/p>\n
\n
Woj Pod Host<\/li>\n
Joined ESPN in 2017<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
The NBA is requiring Charlotte Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball to cover a tattoo under his left ear that the league says violates rules prohibiting the display of commercial logos on players’ bodies – a policy that the NBA says sources close to Ball, was rarely applied.<\/p>\n
Ball has the initials \u201cLF\u201d tattooed on his body, short for LaFrance \u2013 his middle name, and now, his clothing brand.<\/p>\n
The NBA and Ball have had conversations in recent weeks about the tattoo, and Ball began covering it up before Tuesday’s loss to Miami to avoid fines from the league, sources told ESPN. He is expected to continue covering him for Friday night’s tournament game against Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
The parties should continue to discuss short- and long-term solutions to this problem.<\/p>\n
In a statement to ESPN, NBA spokesperson Tim Frank said: “According to the [collective bargaining agreement], players are prohibited from displaying commercial logos or company insignia on their body or in their hair during matches. We try to apply the rule reasonably, consistent with its purpose, and taking into account players’ efforts to express themselves in a non-commercial manner. But LaMelo Ball’s neck tattoo is a clear violation of the rule and, therefore, he is required to cover it up.”<\/p>\n