Larry Bird asks artist to remove tattoos from Indianapolis mural of him

Larry Bird has taken issue with an Indianapolis mural depicting him with tattoos.

The mural, painted by street artist Jules Muck on a building in the city's Fountain Square neighborhood, shows Bird in a blue Indiana State uniform with tattoos on his arms and face. Bird doesn't like the tattoos and has requested they be removed.

"Larry's position is he has elevated himself from where he began to where he is now through a lot of hard work. He has developed a brand that is marketable and he needs to protect that brand," Bird's attorney, Gary Sallee, told David Lindquist and Dana Hunsinger Benbow of the Indianapolis Star. "The mural, as originally painted, was a departure from that brand."

Sallee said he believes Muck and Bird reached an agreement Tuesday and that the mural will remain on the building with all of the tattoos removed - aside from the word "Indiana" on Bird's left forearm.

"All of his friends and 98 percent of his players are tattooed. He doesn't have any problem with tattoos," Sallee added. "He just doesn't want to be seen as a tattooed guy."

Muck said the mural is based on a photo someone sent her from Bird's first Sports Illustrated cover photoshoot in 1977.

Muck confirmed she's been in touch with Bird's representatives to try to come to an agreement but said, "It's going to be a matter of how much we have to do to change it."