How much say should NBA teams have over their players’ off-court activities?
Gilbert Arenas (photo. Tim Tadder)Not long after it was determined that Monta Ellis would miss the first month or so of the NBA season with a serious ankle injury, reports began to surface that the Warriors were skeptical about exactly how their franchise player got hurt. It was reported that Golden State’s front-office wasn’t totally buying Monta’s story that he wrecked his ankle in a simple basketball workout, so they were going to send their own trainer down to Jackson, Miss., to investigate. (Note: While the Contra Costa Times initially had this story, others news sources in the Bay Area disputed the reports that the Warriors were sending their trainer.)
If it did come to light that Monta was injured while breaking one of the “morality” clauses in his brand-new, $67 million contract — such as riding a motorcycle, playing tackle football, snowboarding, etc. — the Warriors would be within their rights to fine, suspend or even terminate the deal with their star.
Morality or behavior clauses have popped up on the national radar in recent years in a variety of sports. NFL players Ben Roethlisberger and Kellen Winslow Jr. were famously hurt riding motorcycles in separate incidents, and the Lakers’ Vlad Radmanovic was busted a couple years ago when he injured his shoulder on the slopes but tried to cover it up, saying he fell on the sidewalk.
Pro athletes of course make their money with their bodies, and teams are investing in them in the hopes that their bodies stay intact. At the same time, it’s tough to totally keep someone who’s wired to compete away from competition. But what’s the difference between a guy who gets hurt playing basketball all summer long in a gym — which any team would want their players to do to get better — and one who gets hurt playing a celebrity softball game? Kevin Garnett has been known to run sprints in the sand as part of his offseason training, and as we’ve all learned from ex-NFL running back Robert Edwards, that can be dangerous. But if it’s in the name of basketball, is that more acceptable for KG to do his beach workout? Guys like Gilbert Arenas and Ron Artest play in streetball tournaments throughout the summer, risking their NBA worth on the asphalt courts that are allegedly bad for the knees. Then there’s the issue of guys playing international ball for their countries. Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw and Luol Deng have each been involved in drama when it comes to their NBA employers being hesitant to approve of their FIBA work.
The spirit behind morality clauses makes sense, but at the same time, how much pull should a team have over a man’s off-court lifestyle? As a writer, I make my money with my eyes and my fingers; but as far as I know, Dime hasn’t put anything in my contract that says I can’t sit in the front row at the movies or take particularly intense piano lessons. And while I’m probably gonna be assed-out if I mess up my digits too much to type, I’m not going to get in trouble just for buying a Chinese finger trap. Athletes are obviously working on a higher pay scale, but the spirit is the same: They will inevitably suffer consequences if they get hurt playing another sport or engaging in something like rock-climbing — including missing playing time, possibly losing a starting spot, etc. — but something about them getting in trouble just for engaging in those activities safely is bothersome. These are grown men we’re talking about, and a morality clause seems like babysitting.
I remember a few years back, Chiefs running back Priest Holmes sat down for an ESPN interview via satellite, and when the interviewer asked about what appeared to be a motorcycle jacket Priest wore on-camera, Priest started stumbling all over his words, trying to downplay what may have simply been a jacket and not exactly a sign that he was riding a bike. But the fact that this grown man was having to explain himself like a kid in the principal’s office was just silly from the beginning.
How much should teams be allowed to have a say in their players’ off-court lives?
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
No Motorcycles or Skiing or anything like that but if they wanna ball somewhere else let ‘em its what they do.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
dapro says:
The athlete is an investment. While I think players should be allowed to live their lives, I do believe good and rational judgement has to come into play
Hanging out at strip clubs with catz looking to Young Berg is not cool (google that)
Speeding in a Ferrari after practice(Bobby Phils) ain’t smart
Drinking and smoking while riding down the highway at 4am doing 90mph is dumb
Playing a pickup game isn’t the worse thing a player can do. Just be smart off the court
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Daily boy says:
This is a very intersting subject, you have to look at it from both sides and how both parties feel. Now if you the the common working man, when he walks off of the job he can care less of what anybody sees him do, or wishes his boss would tell you what he could or couldn’t do. Now on the other hand these guys are major investments(multi-million dollar)and we all know the saying that money is power! So a GM or owner feels that they have the right to tell you what you can or can’t do, but we have to be real you can get hurt rolling out of bed, and you could arrive home in one piece poppin wheelies in the rain on a motorcycle w/no head gear. So with that said both sides have a point..but if i where a GM there would be certain things that wouldn’t be allowed if your under contract.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Tha Boddy says:
Well if your investing millions into ppl you better be able to control them…it’s sad but what happens if Kobe breaks his face tasting Shaq’s ass???How are the Lakers gonna take that???
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Dime Magazine says:
And Tha Boddy emerges with a late entry in the Reader Comment of the Day contest … unreal.
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Tha Boddy says:
I…I had a feeling that my name shoulda been in that entry…and now i’ve come true with my own thinking…I love you DIMEmag first I win the Bullets jersey (Still waiting on that lol) and now im mentioned in like the daily circle of DIMEmag honor…AH!!!!!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
mellamoernest says:
Where’s Minnesota or Oklahoma City in the poll for Northwest Champs? I know they’re both rebuilding, but c’mon. How hard would’ve been to add them to the options? You threw in Denver. They have major flameout potential.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
the baconator says:
It’s stupid to not let players do what they want. I mean, they’re human; they have every right to live their life how they want. If a player decides to wreck his career by motorcycling, skiing, etc, then it’s his choice and should serve as an example to other players. Part of running a team is taking risks on players who might do something stupid to wreck their career. It’s sad, but it’s the truth. Oh, and I’m a def advocate for harsher punishment for players who break the law doing stupid stuff; i.e. Josh Howard openly admitting to doing pot. How the hell does he not get busted for that?!?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Homeless J says:
OKC and Minny will be fighting this season just to break 20 wins.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
crazyball says:
Id live by the rules for a pro career…to have the money to retire early and take care of my family…seems like a small price to pay…
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Tha Boddy says:
@Homeless J
I don’t know buddy I see Minny winning 30games Mike Miller makes a big difference and seeing as though he as Al Jef and K-Love thats a good inside outside game don’t cha think???
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
yoda says:
i think gm’s have every right to ask players that are paid millions to do everything they can to keep themselfs safe. after all, players have such insane demands ( no twice a day contact drills and stuff like that) that owners have every right to control babys they paid so much. players complain they don’t have personal life and that they are treated like they are not humans and that they can’t do stuff they like. well then quit your job( and stop being paid millions) if you have problems with that and find regular paid job then.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Coop says:
This subject is simple imho and that’s because of two words- Guaranteed Contract.
I can do what I like in my private time because i work set hours and because my boss can fire me (well he cant but the government can) if i let something seep over into my working life and he has little financial investment in me.
Basketball players get paid all that GUARANTEED money (in 95% of contracts) so teams can justifiably say ‘no you can’T go snowboarding you stupid facial hair-having lanky 3pt gunner. and do you know why? BECAUSE WE’RE PAYING YOU 30 MILLION GOD DAMNED DOLLARS NOT TO!!!’
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Don Mega says:
it should be in their contracts :
” don’t hang out with Stephen Jackson in the offseason .”
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Tha Boddy says:
OMG LMFAO @ Don Mega
That is a funny azz fak comment man…I applaud you greatly!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
George W Kush Sr says:
The players should be smart enough not to put their bodies in danger, but a lot of these knuckleheads speed on their bikes and do other high risk activities, its not the teams fault and they shouldn’t have to suffer because of the athlete’s dumbass decisions. Imagine having to pay an athlete all the money on his contract even he the dumbass who fucked up his own career by skydiving?
But at the same time, i dont think they should ban they players from International competition, it really means something to an athlete to represent their country at events like the Olympics and I dont believe owners should have the right to stop them. But with limitations of course. A stress factured Yao Ming should not be forced by his country to play, the team should have the right to stop him for risking further injury to something that just got repaired.
I say yes but with clear limitations.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 pm
bballinca says:
baconator, no one is saying they can’t do what they want. It’s jsut that if you get hurt doing it their employer has the right not to pay them. In any job if you become unable to do your job you are going to eventually get the boot and ahve to find another job or hope you cna collect disability.
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
the baconator says:
Bballinca, I completely agree with you on that. If a player does injure themselves doing something stupid, the team has the right to fine them or suspend them for games. The point I was trying to make though was that teams shouldn’t be allowed to dictate what a player does and doesn’t do; they do have the right though to punish the players for doing anything that hurts their performance
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Drink The Haterade (Kobe Rocks) says:
Don Megga
” don’t hang out with Stephen Jackson in the offseason .”
I almost fell out of my chair… Nice
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
BIM TURNS says:
Peace to Jay Williams . . .
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
rodnets says:
Players have contracts. They are grown up men, and earn millions to play ball. The contract should have clauses that allow the franchises to fine players or even terminate contracts for doing things funny but stupid off the court that lead to major injuries.
Fiba national teams pay insurance to have NBA stars playing.
The player chooses and takes the chance. Sorry Pops.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:39 pm
kowtz says:
Bill Clinton can’t get head from an intern because he’s the president… and he’s not making NBA money (legally)… Damn right players need to give up their lifestyle for a seven figure paycheck…
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
nick says:
as long as they aint riding a motorcycle there should be really no limitations.
If they get hurt and can’t play, they should have to pay the organization whatever salary they would be making for the games missed.
oh and minny will be better then people think. foye is healthy going into the season with addition of mike miller and kevin love. love will do the little things to help them win and big al should have a better supporting cast. probably looking at 30-35 gms won.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:42 am
Coop says:
why just riding a motorcycle? what a strange comment.
And paying teams back would be a ridiculously complicated procedure.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:48 am
loot says:
like i said how far can you go? dutch soccerplayer eldrigde rojer scored during his time off: in the shower. dude slipped while boning a broad under the shower and tore up his knee. ambulance personnel found him laying on the bathroom floor after the girl panicked and called 911 thinking he had broken his knee.
at least get dressed and tell them you slipped over a shampoo bottle or something. then again…
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:57 am
yo says:
the whole point of a contract is that it is something both sides agree to upon signing. if you don’t like the terms, then you negotiate and have changes made until it is acceptable to both parties. if it ain’t acceptable to have those morality type clauses then don’t sign it and re-negotiate till it is acceptable.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:22 am
rodnets says:
motorcyles are dangerous…
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:54 am
KingBruin says:
Re:
“but something about them getting in trouble just for engaging in those activities safely is bothersome”
How many of these players have gotten in trouble for “engaging in those activities SAFELY”.? I only know of them getting in trouble when they get hurt, and that is deservedly so. If they are hurt doing something careless or irresponsible, causing them to be inable to perform the job they are contracted for, then by all means they should be penalized.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
JC says:
The more money you make and/or the more your face is in the public eye as a representative of your organization, the more stipulations that are attached.
Most of these players make well over 500K per, and they are constantly exposed to the public eye. It’s understandable that there are more hoops these players are required to jump through in order to remain in good standing.
The morality clauses effedtively serve as insurance policies against players that will injure themselves off the NBA court. Most of the instances where players get in trouble for motorcyle riding, rock climbing, snowboarding, etc. are injury-related. I think a relative crapload of pro ball players own and ride motorcycles, for example. Steve Nash uses a skateboard and plays soccer casually.
Players and all others are free to do what they want in this country, but it’s the same idea across the board: you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t get caught. If you get caught, all bets are off and you may have some ’splaining to do…