Lonzo Ball is key to the Big Baller success

LaVar might be an advertising genius, but the onus is on Lonzo Ball for the Big Baller Brand to be a success

What would happen if Vincent Kennedy McMahon and Donald J. Trump had a kid? Well, look no further and think no more, you’d get LaVar Ball.

The boisterous leader of the Ball family is cut from the same cloth as the WWE creator and business tycoon. All three men portray villain characters, on purpose or by accident, to the masses to buy into their product. Thus, giving them free advertising and more money. It’s a formula that works for a small amount of entrepreneurs, and it looks like father Ball has figured out the method.

Ball has created his own company known as the “Big Baller Brand.” A brand similar to others, offering consumers shirts, pants and hats all dawning either “BBB” or “Big Baller Brand.” What has set Ball’s business apart from others is his mass confidence in his product.

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Just a few weeks ago it was reported apparel kings Nike, adidas and Under Armour had scoffed at Ball’s request from them to license his own brand. With them saying no, Ball took matters into his own hands and released the “ZO2,” the first signature shoe for his eldest son, an inevitable NBA lottery pick, Lonzo Ball.

Great for Lonzo, right? You haven’t even been drafted yet and you already have a signature shoe. Well, the only problem many people see is the price of the shoe – $495 for the regular version; $695 if you’re size 14+ and $995 for a pair with with Lonzo’s signature, and $1,195 with his signature size 14 and up.

Oh yeah, a pair of slides cost $220.

If the shoes aren’t sold for the sole fact of Ball fandom or liking to the design, then it’ll most likely be because of the collectors item it could become, or to own a pair for bragging rights. It’s the shoe game in a nutshell, and a comparison of such is when new shoes are released, such as limited edition or holiday themed kicks. If it’s not for that then it’s for the awe of the shoe in the realm of Kanye West’s “Yeezy’s.” Shoes that cost rent are made for sneaker-heads and people with deep pockets.

Big Baller's loose! If you can't afford the ZO2'S, you're NOT a BIG BALLER! 💰
— Lavar Ball (@Lavarbigballer) May 4, 2017

Now, let’s say LaVar wasn’t so boisterous with his business and Lonzo’s shoes were decently priced. People would love it. Just how consumers love gloating about how Chance The Rapper is an independent talent and J. Cole can go go platinum twice without features. LaVar is in the same mold as the two rappers: being self-made and promoting themselves strategically.

Being strategic and successful isn’t foreign to LaVar. He’s actually an anomaly. From playing division one college basketball to being on the practice squad of two NFL franchises. LaVar has also achieved a feat many parents can only dream of: Getting their kid(s) a free college education.

What makes the LaVar dilemma even more interesting is the fact he was able to lead three of his sons to receive division one athletic scholarships. That accomplishment alone was been under-shadowed in the public eye, but the Big Baller himself has an ilk for success.

There’s no need to go out and support the man, but to acknowledge his bravado and accomplishments alone. Now his next success story is being as annoying as DJ Khaled on snapchat and as successful as the Jordan Brand itself. He’s an independent business that people don’t need to support, but don’t a majority of people love it when someone doesn’t sign with someone big and creates their own fortune?

Chance The Rapper and J. Cole are perfect examples. Independent artists who are their own label.

Some may also believe LaVar is using his sons to gain from them and create his own personal empire. Fair point, but from the looks of it they’re completely bought it to what their dad has been selling. Their pops is capitalizing off what his sons have become to create an enterprise.

The pressure is on Lonzo to become great immediately for whichever team drafts him from Summer League on

Jay-Z did it with his music and created Roc Nation; Kobe Bryant used his disdain for AAU and created the Mamba League; The Rock turned his skills in WWE to a career in Hollywood. It’s a common trope to create and capitalize. To say LaVar is “using” is such a sensitive word. He’s more of an opportunist.

In order for LaVar to continue smiling whenever he makes a headline, TV appearance, or just cashes checks to the bank, his brand his to become highly successful. For that to happen, Lonzo would have to become a perineal NBA All-Star for years to come.

The pressure is on Lonzo to become great immediately for whichever team drafts him from Summer League on. He won’t be able to hit a rookie wall or sophomore slump like others can. The eldest Ball brother will need to enter the league akin to how LeBron James did in 2003: dominant. If Lonzo’s game is just as good as it was at UCLA, then he’ll be fine.

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And who knows, if Lonzo Ball becomes highly successful in the NBA, why not continue rapping like Damian Lillard.