Ball’s new shoes will run an arm and a leg
Nike, Under Armour and Adidas, meet your newest competition, Big Baller Brand. Population: two.
LaVar Ball unveiled several styles of footwear on his company’s web store Thursday, which he’s promoting on behalf of son Lonzo a month before the former UCLA star is expected to be the first or second pick in the NBA draft.
The signature blackand-gold shoe, “ZO2 Prime by Lonzo Ball,” is on sale for a whopping $495. Those who wear a size 14 or 15 are expected to cough up another $200 for the sneakers.
“If you can’t afford the ZO2’S, you’re NOT a BIG BALLER!” LaVar tweeted Thursday evening.
In anticipation of Lonzo’s successful career in the NBA — which, LaVar has said, will include “seven” championship rings — the website also is offering shoes personally au- tographed by the future pro for $995 and $1,195.
The release of the shoes comes a week after all three sneaker giants denied Lonzo an endorsement deal, making him the first anticipated top pick to go without an offer.
The companies likely were turned off by LaVar’s conditions for the deal, which insisted the company partner with Big Baller Brand and consider a shoe he designed himself. Then there was Nike executive George Raveling calling LaVar “the worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years.”
Now going solo, LaVar Ball has grand plans for his brand’s growth.
“Lonzo Ball and Big Baller Brand are on a journey to change the game forever,” the website reads.
Shaquille O’Neal was quick to speak out over the high-priced sneakers, tweeting, “Hey @Lavarbigballer real big baller brands don’t over charge kids for shoes.”