How do Underage NBA Players Celebrate When Alcohol is Present?

We’ve all seen it before, an NBA team will win the NBA Finals, and to mark the achievement, the players, coaches, staff, and owners will begin popping bottles of champagne and other alcoholic and adult beverages.  But have you ever wondered how do underage NBA players celebrate when alcohol is present?

And, if they are on a winning team, are they able and allowed to open alcoholic beverages and drink from them?  Below, we are going to look at this quagmire and discuss what the rules state about underage players in the NBA and alcohol.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in America?

In the United States of America, and across all 50 states, the legal drinking age is defined both federally and at the state level at 21 years of age.  This means that in order to legally acquire, purchase, and consume any alcoholic beverages, the individual doing so must be 21 years of age or older.

The reason that the national minimum age to purchase or consume alcohol is 21 is due to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984.  This federal law essentially instructed states to enact a minimum drinking age of 21 or else they would lose up to 10% of their federal highway funding budget.

However, just why was 21 the chosen age?  And while the minimum voting and draft enrollment age is 18, the age of 21 was chosen as that was when, historically, individuals in England were allowed to vote and become a knight. 

Since a person was officially an adult at the age of 21, in England, it seemed like a clear choice as to when they would be old enough to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.  And with the fear of losing out on federal highway funding, all states quickly fell into line and adopted the same legal drinking age limit.

What do Underage NBA Players do When Alcohol is Present?

Which brings us back to the original topic and question at hand.  While NBA players and teams are more likely to celebrate significant games, big wins, and a Finals Championship with alcohol and champagne, the federal and state guidelines are clear and straightforward.

Legally, no individual younger than the age of 21 may purchase or consume alcohol or any alcoholic beverage before the age of 21.  And although these NBA players may be around alcohol and its influence, legally they are prohibited from partaking in its consumption.

Similarly, responsible NBA teams and league managers will ensure that their underage players do not break the law and remain mindful of the legal drinking age.  Not only done to ensure legality and the removal of warrantless claims against the team, but these managers feel responsible for their younger players and care to ensure their safety and abidance with the law.

In essence, although NBA players are around and influenced by alcohol and alcoholic beverages, they are not exempted from federal and state laws.  As such, they must wait until the age of 21 to both purchase and consumer alcohol.