The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly enforcing "an existing policy" which will prevent members of the media from congregating in a section of the arena among family and friends of players after games. According to ESPN's Chris Haynes, Staples Center employees are referring to this as the "LaVar Ball Rule."
Family, friends and agents wait for players in the seats behind the basket closest to the visiting team's locker room at the conclusion of games, which is where LaVar Ball has been interviewed in the past. As part of the "LaVar Ball Rule," which a team spokesperson described as an existing policy, interviews conducted in that designated area near the tunnel are now forbidden.
"It's not a new policy; it's an existing policy," a team spokesperson told ESPN. "There has been more media presence in that area than before. That section is strictly for family and guests of players. It's a privacy concern."
Additionally, LaVar won't be allowed to do interviews on the court, though that's something he hasn't done since the Lakers lost to the Clippers on opening night. The NBA's rule states that credentials are needed in order to step onto the court.
ESPN's Chris Haynes reports that some rival front-office executives believe that the team's reinforcement of these policies is necessary to prevent LaVar from having a routine postgame platform in which he can criticize the team or coaches.
The Lakers, 8-15, are about to embark on a four-game East coast road trip which includes a trip to Cleveland, followed by several games against the Warriors and Rockets.
