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BASKETBALL "e situation is gradually getting better. It feels like manufacturers have caught up to forecasting and production and we're optimistic that things will continue to improve," he says. At Coffman's Sporting Goods in Louisville, KY, the basketball business mostly comes down to uniforms, socks and balls. Like other dealers, owner John Coffman is finding that balls are tough to come by. "Programs will try to use what they already have. ey can place orders, but sometimes we can't fill them completely. Orders that used to take one month now take four and prices are going up as well," he says. A Mixed Bag for School Budgets Demand is definitely there, but the question of whether the money to buy them is there — and who it is going to come from. "We're cautiously optimistic about school budgets," says Schneider at Valley Athletic Supply. "School budgets are tight, but the travel and AAU business will be booming this season. Schools are on a four- to five-year cycle, so the business depends on where schools are in their cycles." He is also understandably a bit nervous as the country possibly heads into a recessionary period. "We don't know what product schools will be able to afford, so it's a guessing game on the dealer's side. If schools opt to put their budgets toward specific products and we can't get them, it's a huge problem." Schneider adds: "Business will be strong, but the ability to stock the right product and have access to the right product will be critical. It's nerve wracking and it's a guessing game right now. If you don't order product early, you prob- ably won't get it at all. But you also have to try to avoid stocking up on product that nobody will want or need. Getting product that will be in demand is sometimes hard to predict." Garretson sounds a bit more optimistic tune. "Schools will always have money to spend," he says. "With inflation, we might have to make some adjustments, but booster clubs and fundraising events will make up the slack. Teams not associated with a school tend to spend more money, but there are fewer kids on those teams due to cost and sports overlaps. It's pretty consistent right now." In one troubling sign of the times, Coffman reveals that many schools have ordered prod- ucts that they couldn't pay for, forcing the dealer to ask for a purchase order before accepting the order. "A couple of years ago it was a smooth sailing operation," he says. "Now it's getting difficult to put orders together. It won't be any easier this year or next. Sometimes I don't even want to take an order if I know I can't get the product." Conversely, Bodart, of Hoosier Sporting Goods, is confident about funds being available for the 2022-23 season. "We haven't seen any issues. Most schools have money right now and even a little extra," he says. "Teams are up in their uniform rotation. We have some good travel teams here, but schools are the biggest part of our business." e dealer is also servicing a couple of high school leagues over the summer. At California Pro Sports, Karsh observes that budgets seem to be back to normal. At present, schools account for 60 percent of the dealer's basketball business, with leagues and travel teams comprising the remaining 40 percent. "People had more in the bank to spend and budgets seem to be in a good place right now," Karsh says. However, he warns that inflation and pricing will be a big shock to people. "Prices are going up as much as 20 percent. e temporary price increases that manufacturers put in place during Covid are now becoming permanent." Uniform Trends: Sublimation Rules, Shorts Get Shorter For the basketball uniform business, subli- mation has taken over as the dominant form of decoration. "e heart of basketball season starts in October this year and most uniforms are sub- limated. We're running on-time with that, but there could be some issues in the fall. Overall, we're not expecting lots of problems," says Bodart. "Turnaround is very important. Single- ply, reversible sublimated jerseys comprise the overwhelming majority of our basketball uniform business." At Garretson's Sport Center, most basketball uniforms sold are lightweight, sublimated styles. "For the most part, sublimation is here to stay. We can do faster fill-ins and turnaround and sublimation lets you 'NASCAR' a uniform. It's price-effective," says Garretson. "We're seeing more in sublimation now than in the past," agrees Karsh. "It's easier to duplicate and replicate sublimated uniforms and there's growing demand. Stock uniforms are tougher for fill-ins, especially if there are availability issues." One other noteworthy basketball uniform trend: Shorter shorts. n 32 • Team Insight ~ July/August 2022 teaminsightmag.com NFHS Makes Minor Basketball Rules Changes The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Basketball Rules Committee recently made two rules adjust- ments that impact team dealers and their school customers. • First, the group clarified the use of hair adornments, saying that adornments made of hard material are permitted provided that they are securely fastened close to the head and do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates or opponents. The new rule is more inclusive of hairstyles while not compromising risk of injury to the athlete and others. • The second rules change simplifies the Shot Clock Guidelines in the Basketball Rules Book. The adjustment, which is recommended but not required, suggests a full reset of the shot clock after a ball is intentionally kicked or fisted. The fact that a shot clock is being used in high schools now offers a huge opportunity for scoreboard upgrade sales for dealers. "High school basketball from a playing rules perspective is in a good place," states Billy Strickland, executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the Basketball Rules Committee. "The committee spent a significant amount of time during our April meeting discussing future rule proposals, an increase in physicality within the game and unsportsmanlike behavior by spectators, as well as the upcoming implementation of the 35-second shot clock in several states." For the upcoming season, the committee plans to promote good sportsmanship and also put an emphasis on reducing illegal con- tact post-play, off-ball play and through hard checks. The committee would also like officials to first address illegal uniforms, equipment and apparel directly with the head coach and not the players. "Interscholastic educational-based ath- letics is built on the foundation of learning. Players, coaches and officials will not be per- fect and it is upon all stakeholders to foster an environment that encourages growth and development through positive sporting be- havior," says Lindsey Atkinson, of NFHS. "Negative behavior towards officials continues to be a significant factor in the recruitment and retention of officials."