Sources: NBA to allow LaMelo Ball to expose once-banned tattoo
As Charlotte
Hornets All-Star guard LaMelo Ball returns from a six-week absence, the NBA
will allow him to keep uncovered a tattoo below his left ear that previously
had been considered a violation of league rules against commercial logos,
sources told ESPN on Friday.
Ball can now
play with the "LF" initials -- short for LaFrance, his middle name
and a clothing line -- distinguishable to the public. Ball had covered the
tattoo with a bandage for several games before a Nov. 26 ankle sprain sidelined
him until his return Friday night in San Antonio, where he emerged without the
bandage in a 135-99 loss that saw him score a game-high 28 points.
The NBA,
Ball, his representation at ROC Nation Sports and the players' association had
several weeks of conversations early in the season about the tattoo, and Ball
began covering it up prior to a Nov. 14 game to avoid league fines, sources
told ESPN.
In a
statement to ESPN in mid-November, NBA spokesman Tim Frank said: "Per the
[collective bargaining agreement], players are prohibited from displaying
commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or in their hair during
games. We try to enforce the rule reasonably, in accordance with its purpose,
and taking into account players' efforts to express themselves in a
non-commercial manner. But LaMelo Ball's neck tattoo is in obvious violation of
the rule and, accordingly, he's required to cover it."
Nevertheless,
the NBA reconsidered that position in recent weeks, allowing Ball to return
Friday without the threat of fines for failing to cover the tattoo, sources
said. Ball has had a similar tattoo on his left hand, although it was far less
conspicuous than the new impression under his left ear that caught the league's
attention in the preseason.
LaMelo
Ball's "LF" tattoo is short for LaFrance, his middle name and also a
clothing line. It was initially considered a violation of league rules against
commercial logos. Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY
Ball has
told the NBA that the LF represents his own middle name and that of a close
family member, his uncle, sources said. Ball had used the initials long before
they had become a brand.
Ball's reps
have made the case to the NBA that several past players have had what would be
considered corporate logos on their bodies -- including Jordan Brand, Michelin
and Warner Bros. Those players, though, did not have endorsement partnerships with
those companies, the NBA countered.
The Hornets,
beset with injuries, have lost 17 of 20 games without Ball on the floor this
season. Ball, 22, had surgery on the same, right ankle last season, part of
what limited him to 33 games. Across 15 games this season entering Friday, Ball
has averaged a career-high 24.7 points with 5.5 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.4
steals.