The NBA might implement something that students at BYU-Idaho are quite familiar with – a dress code.

David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, is trying to enforce a dress code for players in which business casual attire would be required for all team-related functions. They would have to dress up while going to and from all games, on the airplane and even sitting on the bench when injured. In other words, Stern is concerned with the league’s image problem. Apparently, more of today’s players are sporting baggy jeans, do-rags and hats turned to the side, not to mention all the jewelry.

Referees and coaches in the NBA are already required to wear a collared shirt and tie to the game. Now the players would have to comply or they would be hit with a stiff fine totaling thousands of dollars. Here at BYU-I, a student in violation of the dress code would have to go home and change their clothes.

While the BYU-I dress and grooming standards are specific, details of the new NBA dress policy have yet to be announced. John Stockton got out of the league just in time because he would not be able to wear his traditional polo shirt and jeans to every game. The proposal will probably require the players to wear sport coats and collared shirts, with ties being optional.

“If coats are required,” said Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag according to the Deseret Morning News, “they’re going to get the worst-looking one they’ve ever seen on me … I’ll go buy one off a guy on the street.”

Some players wear a suit and tie to the games already. However, owners like Mark Cuban of the Dallas Mavericks and Larry H. Miller of the Utah Jazz might be required to comply as well. David Stern hopes to explain all of the details of the dress code and put it into effect when the season begins Nov. 1.

Jim Moore, a columnist from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said, “I’m trying to figure out how a 63-year-old man would have any idea how 20-somethings dress these days.”