The Virtual Basketball Association should be an open and welcoming environment, where all parties involved feel safe, have fun, and develop their skills. To create such an environment, we need to take personal responsibility for how we behave toward our fellow players, coaches, staff, volunteers, and spectators. By following the rules set out below, we make the VBA community a place for everyone. Note that these rules applies to outside play as well, and is not limited to VBA League play.​

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1. ETHICS FOR PLAYERS

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Players include those who are on the active rosters, those who are associated with the teams in other capacities and any player prospecting to be drafted to a team. As a player adhering to the rules below, you ensure that VBA events promote an open and welcoming vSports environment.

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1.1. Player Code of Conduct

• 1.1.1. Offensive expression. Avoid expressing ourselves in an offensive manner toward other players or their actions in the game, regardless of whether they are opponents or teammates.

• 1.1.2. Offensive language. Avoid using language, nicknames or other expressions that insult another player’s gender, gender identity, origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, religion or age.

• 1.1.3. Team dynamic. Always support your team, communicating positively and with respect.

• 1.1.4. Violent language. Avoid using language or actions that refer to sexual violence or other violence.

• 1.1.5. Violent actions. Avoid acting in a threatening or violent manner.

• 1.1.6. Cheating. Avoid cheating, glitching or hacking.

• 1.1.7. Private information. Avoid sharing our account information or any other private information that could put ourselves or our peers at risk.

• 1.1.8. Harassment. You may not harass other players, team members, or other associated parties.

• 1.1.9. Sexual Harassment. You may not sexually harass other players, team members or other associated parties. There is zero tolerance for any sexual threats or coercion or the promise of advantages in exchange for sexual favors.

• 1.1.10. Discrimination and Denigration. You may not offend the dignity or integrity of a country, private person, or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory, or derogatory words or actions on account of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability status, gender identity, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, sexual orientation, or any other reason.

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2. ETHICS FOR ORGANIZERS

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Organizers include both anyone who hold roles in making decisions for and overseeing elements of the VBA League. Organizers help participants make respectful decisions, which strengthen vSports, events and competitions. As an organizer adhering to the rules below, you ensure that our events promote an open and welcoming vSports environment.

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2.1. Organizers Code of Conduct

• 2.1.1. Player’s Code of Conduct. Abide by all standards outlined in Section 3.1.

• 2.1.2. Act accordingly. Have a plan of action to deal with situations that arise when someone breaches the contents of the Ethics for Players

• 2.1.2.1. For assistance in creating an action plan, see the section ”Tips for Organizers.”

• 2.1.3. Moderating. Moderate public channels, such as social media or forums, in conjunction with your events, and not allow offensive comments or exchanges.

• 2.1.4. Safe Spaces. Work proactively to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels safe, regardless of gender, gender identity, origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, religion, or age.

• 2.1.5. Offensive Summoner names. Ensure that the players taking part in a tournament are not using nicknames, team names, skins, or anything else that may be offensive.

• 2.1.6. Offensive and violent language. Have a zero tolerance policy for language, actions and behaviors that include elements of violence, including sexual violence.

• 2.1.7. Reporting. Encourage bystanders and spectator to immediately report any abuse they witness.

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3. CONSEQUENCES OF BREAKING THE CODE OF CONDUCT

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3.1. Subjection to consequences.

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Any player found to have violated or attempted to violate the Code of Conduct is subject to consequences. The nature and extent of the consequences shall be made in the sole discretion of the VBA League Commissioner, team GM, team owner, or all of the above.

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3.2. Options for consequences. Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in any of the following:

• 3.2.1. Warnings. Low severity or first-time offenses may be offered a written warning, along with supplemental opportunities for mediation.

• 3.2.2. Loss of playing time for current or future games. In this case.

• 3.2.3. Player suspension for the entire, or part of a season. In this case, a single player may be suspended, while the team may continue to compete with a reserve.

• 3.2.5. Player suspension from the league. In this case, this bars a player from attending the VBA events in totality.

• 3.2.6. Team disqualification. In this case, if three or more players on a single team have violated the Code of Conduct, the entire team may be disqualified.

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3.3. Administering consequences. The VBA league officials will review any reports of misconduct at meetings scheduled at their own discretion.

• 3.3.1. Protocol for administering consequences. If a party is found guilty of misconduct, the protocol for administering consequences is followed as such:

• 3.3.1.1. Email or other written notification. For written warnings, an email may be used to notify the guilty party.

• 3.3.1.2. Phone call, voice chat. For consequences in relation to Section 1 & 2, the VBA League officials must speak with the guilty party via phone call or in-person.

• 3.3.2. Right to publish. The VBA League officials reserve the right to publish or notify team members, including general managers, and the public on any consequences administered.