The NBA is reducing the headware options available to players in 2019-20.
The league notified teams Monday that it will no longer allow the "ninja-style" headbands that grew in popularity last season, NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told ESPN.
The NBA notified teams that it won't allow players to wear "ninja-style headwear" this season, NBA spokesman Mike Bass tells ESPN. The headwear "...hasn't been through the league approval process. Teams have raised concerns regarding safety and consistency of size, length ..."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 9, 2019
Bass said the NBA chose not to intervene in 2018-19 because it didn't want to be disruptive in the middle of the season. But it's taking a stance on the issue now before the regular season tips off next month.
Bass: "When some players began wearing them last season, we didn't want to cause a disruption by intervening midseason..." NBA notified teams in May that the headwear "would not be a part of this seasons uniforms." https://t.co/23IjTaoT8v
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 9, 2019
The league's competition committee is set to meet Monday to discuss concerns regarding the size and length of the headbands, as well as how they are tied before an official rule change is made.
Basketball fans appeared to enjoy the emergence of the new trend, but they may have to spend at least one NBA season without them now.
Jrue Holiday, Jimmy Butler and De'Aaron Fox were among the players that popularized the headbands last year.