LaMelo Ball will be required to continue covering up his “LF” tattoo below his left ear at the request of the NBA under a policy that the tattoo violates league rules against promoting commercial logos on players’ bodies.
It’s a rule that sources close to Ball, according to ESPN, say has been infrequently enforced.
The tattoo is short for LaFrance, which is Ball’s middle name and, recently, the name of his clothing brand.
“Per the [collective bargaining agreement], players are prohibited from displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on their body or in their hair during games,” said NBA spokesman Tim Frank in a statement to ESPN.
“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.”
The Hornets All-Star has been covering up the logo prior to Tuesday’s 113-109 loss to Miami, avoiding league fines, and he is expected to do the same for Friday’s in-season tournament game against the Bucks.
The NBA and Ball have had several conversations over the past few weeks and they’re expected to continue these conversations to find short-term and long-term solutions.
The issue has run in the family, as the league did require Lonzo, the guard’s older brother, to cover up a “Big Baller Brand” tattoo in 2018.
Ball, 22, has made the case that he has used the “LF” initials before it became a brand, and informed the league it’s his middle name as well as the name of his uncle.
His reps have lent over names of past players that have what would be seen as corporate logos displayed on their bodies, such as Jordan Brand for Michelin and Warner Brothers. However, the NBA countered that those players were not in business with those companies.
Ball is in his fourth year in the league on a five-year extension worth as much as $260 million after he was drafted by the team as the No. 3 overall pick in 2020. Since then, he’s been named 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and earned his first All-Star nod in 2022.
He is averaging 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 8.6 assists this season.
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