Why Did the NBA Ban Ninja Headbands?
Contents
We take a look at why the NBA decided to ban players from wearing ninja headbands during games.
The NBA’s decision to ban ninja headbands
On Wednesday, the NBA issued a memo to all 30 teams banning the wearing of ninja-style headbands, TMZ reported. The ban was reportedly implemented due to “safety concerns,” although it’s unclear what those concerns are. The memo reportedly states that players will no longer be allowed to wear the headbands during games, but they can still wear them during practices and pre-game warmups.
The decision to ban ninja headbands comes just days after Houston Rockets point guard James Harden was seen wearing one during a game. It’s unclear if his decision to wear the headband played any role in the NBA’s decision to ban them.
The ninja headband ban is just the latest in a series of odd decisions made by the NBA in recent years. In 2017, the league banned players from wearing t-shirts that said “I Can’t Breathe” during pre-game warmups, and in 2018, it banned players from wearing personal messages on their shoes.
The reasoning behind the ban
The NBA has come under fire for banning players from wearing popular headbands made by the gaming lifestyle brand Ninja. The league says the decision was made because the headbands present a “safety issue,” but many fans and players are skeptical of this explanation.
So why did the NBA ban Ninja headbands? There are a few possible reasons. One is that the headbands are simply too distracting. They’re brightly colored and stand out against the players’ uniforms, which can be a distraction for both fans and opposing players.
Another possibility is that the NBA is trying to distance itself from gaming culture. The league has been criticized in recent years for being too friendly with the gaming industry, and banning Ninja headbands could be seen as a way to distance itself from that association.
Finally, it’s possible that the NBA is simply trying to cash in on the popularity of Ninja by preventing other brands from sponsoring players who wear his headbands. If that’s the case, it’s a pretty cynical move on the league’s part.
Whatever the reason for the ban, it’s clear that it’s not popular with fans or players. Hopefully the league will reconsider its decision and lift the ban soon.
How players and fans have reacted to the ban
While many players and fans have reacted with disappointment, some argue that the decision was necessary in order to prevent injuries. Others have speculated that the NBA may have banned ninja headbands in order to avoid offending players and fans who do not associate with the ninja lifestyle.
Some Headband wearers have even started to wear their headbands upside down in protest of the NBA’s decision. It remains to be seen how long this trend will continue, or if the NBA will eventually reverse its decision.
The implications of the ban
When the National Basketball Association (NBA) banned ninja headbands this past season, they raised a lot of eyebrows. The league has a history of over-the-top and often inexplicable fashion bans, but this one was particularly perplexing. After all, what’s wrong with a little headgear?
As it turns out, the NBA has a dress code that stipulates that players must keep their hair “neat and clean” and that they must not wear “headbands, bandanas, or other hair accessories that cover more than the player’s hairline.” The league argues that ninja headbands do not meet these criteria because they cover the forehead and ears.
While the NBA dress code is admittedly arbitrary, there are some practical implications of the ban on ninja headbands. For one, it means that players who want to wear them will have to choose between violating the dress code or covering up their hairstyles. This could be particularly troublesome for players with dreadlocks or cornrows, who rely on headbands to keep their hairstyles in place.
It’s also worth noting that the ban on ninja headbands comes at a time when the league is facing increased scrutiny over its treatment of players of color. In recent years, several high-profile incidents have called attention to the fact that the NBA is still predominantly white, while its players are overwhelmingly black. banning ninja headbands may not seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it’s yet another example of the league’s lack of understanding of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of its players of color.