Appropriate uniforms can be a tricky thing in the world of sports. Whether it be basketball, football, or tennis, each sport has a list of prohibited items. However, in some cases, the prohibition can feel a tad extreme. For instance, the NBA has long banned reverse headbands and ninja bands. Early in his career, Michael Jordan had to endure heavy fines each game for putting on clothing from his brand.
However, a mentionable figure in the world of tennis, the man who shelled out $32500 in fines, had to find out firsthand how rigid the game’s apparel rules truly are.
Michael Jordan’s brand causes problems for notable tennis name
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Nick Kyrgios always seem to remain in the limelight in tennis. While some of his mannerisms do seem a little off, other instances of him being fined can feel a little unfair. His time at Wimbledon was unfortunately one such case.
Last year, in July, the 28-year-old became the center of controversy yet again. However, this time around, it wasn’t his usual brand of antics that got the Aussie in trouble. Instead, it was brand representation. Speaking on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson podcast, Kyrgios gave his side of the story.
“I walked out of Wimbledon…This red hat and some red Jordans like to accept the Wimbledon trophy…You have to wear All-White. You have to. I got fined like 16,000 pounds or something. “?
The entire situation escalated due to a viral interview afterward. During the questioning, Kyrgios made his intentions of not wearing all white clear to the audience. The eventual verdict saw Nick receive a fine worth $19,398.
While this particular instance was not entirely on Kyrgios, the history of players receiving fines for representing the Jordan brand began with the namesake GOAT himself.
Michael Jordan pays the penalty for his brand
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Due to the strict uniform code of the NBA, the 6x champ had to face severe violations in nearly every game. Today, the Jordan Brand is a major sponsor for the league and various teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, with a whooping annual revenue of $5.1 billion. However, the scenario was far different when MJ first came into the league.
In his stint with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan had to pay a severe fine each night he put on the iconic Jordans. The black and red colorway, perhaps the most iconic sports sneaker, cost Mike $5,000 each night as a direct?violation.
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With Kyrgios finding out firsthand the consequences of breaking the uniform code, the efficacy of the rules remains unquestioned. What do you think of Nick Kyrgios’ fate? Let us know in the comments.
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