For Complex News, I'm Pierce Simpson // The upcoming NBA Draft is regarded as being one
of the strongest drafts in recent memory.
In fact, plenty of teams spent the second half of the season "resting" players and blatantly
losing in order to improve their lottery chances (0:18-0:22/VO)-- and boost their fortune at
receiving a franchise changing player.
One of those players happens to be Lonzo Ball, who took home national freshman of the year
honors and helped lead his UCLA Bruins to a Sweet 16 appearance before entering his
name in this year's draft(0:26-0:30/VO).
Plenty of experts have him ranked as one of the Top 3 players available -- but listening
to Lonzo himself; you'd never know it.
However, while Lonzo may come across as humble -- his father, LaVar Ball has enough damn
confidence to make Charles Barkley seem bashful.
LaVar has compared his son to Magic Johnson, floated the idea that he's better than Stephen
Curry and recently attributed UCLA's loss in the tournament to Lonzo's "white teammates".
Aside from the racially insensitive remarks and idiotic basketball commentary -- LaVar
has made bigger headlines for his desire to get his sons a "billion dollar" sneaker deal.
In essence, LaVar is looking to license the Big Baller Brand, and create a co-partnership
with a sneaker brand.
This type of deal would also open the door for more money and the opportunity for his
two younger sons, LiAngelo & LaMelo to be apart of the plan.
Initially, it seemed like various sneaker brands were interested in making Lonzo a member
of their plans -- but today, ESPN's Darren Rovell dropped a bombshell that reports Nike,
adidas and Under Armour no longer have interest in Ball after meeting with the point guard
and his father.
ESPN also reports, that LaVar is still looking for a co-partnership and even pitched prototype
sketches of a "Lonzo Ball Shoe".
In fact, LaVar kept things honest when expressing his thought process when it comes to sneaker
deals.
"We've said from the beginning, we aren't looking for an endorsement deal.
We're looking for co-branding, a true partner.
But they're not ready for that because they're not used to that model.
But hey, the taxi industry wasn't ready for Uber, either."
LaVar also mentioned NBA All-Star Paul George... and his struggle of having to wait for a signature
shoe.
"We're not going to sign with a company and then wait around for five or six years for
a shoe like Paul George had to wait for with Nike."
This news sent shockwaves throughout social media, with a variety of pundits weighing-in
on the potential L that it seems like Lonzo Ball is having to take on behalf of his father.
Of course, in typical Twitter fashion... the memes started to arrive in droves.
Aside from the jokes and commentary, it's obvious that the landscape may be changing
when it comes to endorsement deals and prospective talent feeling empowered to go more of the
independent route.
As our Russ Bengston suggests, LaVar's pioneer approach should be commended...However, LaVar
may be oversimplifying the process of selling sneakers.
"there's a difference between producing, say, music, than there is producing viable
basketball shoes.
Master P selling CDs out of his trunk and making millions is one thing; Master P selling
sneakers was quite another.
A company like Nike spends untold millions on R&D and marketing.
Millions that—even without looking at financial statements—Big Baller Brand presumably doesn't
have."
For now, LaVar and Lonzo will look to turn their interest towards Chinese brands like
Li-Ning, who may not even be interested -- but to be honest, it's still early in the process
and we've seen negotiations turn around.
However, it's obvious that LaVar Ball may need to reign-in his expectations and allow
his son carve his own path; and hopefully achieve the lofty expectations NBA Gms have
for him...
It's never a good look when top-tier sneaker executives consider LaVar to be the worst
thing to happen in basketball this past century.
What do you guys think?
Would you cop a Lonzo Ball sneaker, as always let us know in the comments what you guys
think and keep it locked to Complex News by subscribing to us on YouTube.
For Complex News, I'm Pierce Simpson
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