NBA: Tattoo controversy: J.R. covers lettering

J.R. Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers obviously doesn’t want to pay a fine. After the league sent him a message that he needed to cover up a tattoo, he has now given in.

In August, Smith had a tattoo with the lettering of the fashion label “Supreme” stabbed on his calf, for which, according to his own statement, he doesn’t get any money, but which violates the league rules. Last week he had therefore received a message from the league.

This has arrived: “I won’t give them any money that would otherwise go to my children,” Smith said to ESPN. “I checked if there are legal possibilities, but I have now received a message from the Player Union and you know what? I’m not putting any money in their pockets. Not a chance.”

Smith will cover the tattoo to avoid risking fines. However, he did not deal directly with the NBA: “I am not talking to the police,” Smith told cleveland.com.