NBA Star LaMelo Ball Forced to Cover Neck Tattoo for Business Reasons

Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has trade problems with the NBA (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

An NBA figure has to cover a tattoo he has under his left ear during his games. This is LaMelo Ball, point guard for the Charlotte Hornets and big star of this franchise, who in his latest appearances has had to wear adhesive tape over the initials ‘LF’ that he has on his neck so as not to violate the rules against the exposure of commercial logos on players’ bodies, at the league’s discretion.

Melo, 22, has placed a small clipping of what is known as Kinesio Tapes right over the drawing he wears on his neck. The initials ‘LF’ tattooed on his body are an abbreviation for LaFrance, which refers to his middle name but also to his own clothing brand that came out at the end of 2020, just before becoming one of the top draft picks for the NBA of that year.

As reported by Adrian Wojnarowski for ESPN, the NBA and Ball have had conversations in recent weeks about the tattoo and the player had to start covering it to avoid fines from the league. “It is expected that the parties will continue discussing short- and long-term solutions to the problem,” said the journalist who covers the league.

While LaMelo Ball had a similar tattoo on his left hand, it was much less striking than the new design he got under his left ear, which caught the attention of the NBA last preseason.

The NBA requires LaMelo Ball to cover his neck tattoo for business reasons.

“Players are prohibited from displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or hair during games. We attempt to enforce the rule reasonably, consistent with its purpose and taking into account players’ efforts to express themselves in a non-commercial manner. But the tattoo on LaMelo Ball’s neck is an obvious violation of the rule and, consequently, he must cover it,” explained Tim Frank, NBA spokesman, in conversation with ESPN.

The player’s entourage has informed the league authorities that the “LF” represents his middle name and that of a close relative, his uncle, according to the sources consulted by the aforementioned site. Even LaMelo Ball had used those initials long before becoming a men’s clothing brand.

Representatives for Ball, who won the 2021 Rookie of the Year award and participated in his first All-Star in 2022, have alleged to the NBA that several players have already had what would be considered corporate logos on their bodies, including Jordan Brand , Michelin and Warner Brothers. The American league responded that these athletes did not have sponsorship partnerships with those companies.

LaMelo Ball has a clothing brand called “LaFrance”, like his middle name.

In his first 10 games of this season, LaMelo Ball has appeared recovered from a broken ankle he suffered earlier this year. After signing a five-year contract extension worth up to $260 million, the Hornets point guard is averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.6 assists; even when his team has recorded a start of 3 wins and 7 losses.

2023-11-18 15:16:00
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