NBA Allows LaMelo Ball to Keep Uncovered Tattoo as He Returns to the Court

After a six-week absence, basketball star LaMelo Ball made his return to the court on Friday night. In an interesting turn of events, the NBA has decided to allow him to keep an uncovered tattoo below his left ear, which was previously considered a violation of league rules against commercial logos. This ruling means that Ball can now play with the initials ‘LF‘ on display, which stands for LaFrance and is also a clothing line that he is associated with.

The NBA, along with Ball, his representation at ROC Nation Sports, and the players’ association, had several conversations about the tattoo earlier in the season. To avoid being fined by the league, Ball had been covering the tattoo with a bandage. However, upon his return, he opted to showcase the tattoo during the game against San Antonio, even though his team suffered a 135-99 loss. Ball managed to score a game-high 28 points.

The NBA’s initial stance was that displaying commercial logos or corporate insignia on players’ bodies or hair during games is prohibited. Hence, Ball had to cover up the tattoo to comply with the rules. The league, in a statement back in November, stated that the tattoo was in violation and Ball was required to cover it up.

However, the NBA recently changed its position and allowed Ball to return to the court without having to cover the tattoo. The reassessment came after Ball’s representatives argued that other players in the past had tattoos representing corporate logos, such as Jordan Brand and Michelin, without facing any issues. The NBA countered this argument by highlighting that those players did not have endorsement partnerships with the respective companies.

The Charlotte Hornets, Ball’s team, has been struggling in his absence, losing 17 out of 20 games. Ball’s return is greatly anticipated as he has been performing exceptionally well this season, with career-high averages in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. This decision by the NBA allows Ball to freely express himself and maintain his personal branding while on the court.

It is worth noting that this tattoo controversy has brought attention to the LF initials, which not only represent Ball’s middle name but also hold significance for a close family member, his uncle. The tattoo serves as a personal symbol for Ball rather than being strictly associated with his clothing line.