APPROPIATE NAMING USAGE
Basketball Manitoba expects all its member teams, clubs and leagues to adhere to our Codes of Conduct and general decency when naming or branding themselves. Names and images convey a strong message to the community, and decisions on what to use for your needs must be taken seriously.
Team, club or league names/nicknames and/or logos that contain profane, obscene, derogatory, racist, sexist, or any other words or sentiments considered offensive and/or inappropriate that conflict with any Basketball Manitoba guidelines and/or philosophies of respect are not permitted.
Teams, clubs, or leagues notified by Basketball Manitoba regarding this policy are required to edit their names as requested to maintain their membership. Basketball Manitoba reserves the right to censor or alter any names that violate this policy.
Decisions on names, nicknames or logos that might be deemed offensive will initially be made by the Basketball Manitoba staff, with final decisions being made by the Basketball Manitoba Board of Directors to rule on any names that may be deemed offensive.
- Brand Protection: Existing clubs have developed their identities, reputations, and goodwill over many years.
- Public Clarity: Duplicate names create confusion for athletes, families, officials, event organizers, media, and sponsors.
- Administrative Accuracy: Duplicate club/team names increase the likelihood of registration errors, scheduling issues, and reporting inaccuracies.
- Competitive Integrity: Consistent and unique naming helps ensure clarity in league standings, tournament brackets, discipline matters, and recordkeeping.
- Club names
- Team nicknames
- Program names used publicly or in registration systems
- Sub-club teams operating under a separate identity
- Acronyms, abbreviations, and alternate spellings that are reasonably interpreted as the same nickname