Big Baller Brand unveils debut ZO2 shoe for Lonzo Ball
LaVar Ball's Big Baller Brand on Thursday unveiled the ZO2 shoe line that he designed for his son Lonzo, with the main pair debuting at $495 on the company's website.
A Lonzo Ball-autographed pair of the shoes, in the "Wet" color scheme, are being sold for $995. Sandals with Lonzo Ball's logo on the top are $220 per pair.
The main shoe, at the aforementioned price of $495, has a "microfiber python texture" in matte black and what the website describes as a "Delorean finish."
In the past two years, the highest price for a pair of Jordan shoes released en masse to the public has been $400.
Last week, ESPN reported that major shoe companies expressed they weren't interested in the deal pitched to them by LaVar Ball in which they would have to license his Big Baller Brand. The shoes Ball had already designed were part of the pitch.
"We said from the beginning, we aren't looking for an endorsement deal," Ball said last week. "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."
The Big Baller Brand sells its gear on its website, with shirts and hats ranging from $38 to $100.
According to the website, all sales of the ZO2 are final and there could be a wait for fans to get a pair. The website says there will be no refunds or exchanges and that the shoes would be shipped by Nov. 24.
Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, whose shoes retail for between $13 and $68 at Walmart, weighed in with his thoughts on the ZO2 in a tweet Thursday.
Acting Golden State Warriors head coach Mike Brown also isn't interested in buying his kid $500 shoes, saying simply, "Uh, no!"
LaVar Ball seemed to answer critics who said the shoes are too expensive.
"You have to respect LaVar being entrepreneurial, betting on himself and trying to build a business," said Jason Stein, CEO of New York-based ad agency Laundry Service. "He's a larger-than-life character and generating a ton of attention. The shoes are nothing special and grossly overpriced, but I suspect that's intentional. In the context of building a brand -- his brand -- it's working."
Lonzo Ball, who played one year at UCLA, is projected to be among the top three picks in the NBA draft, which takes place June 22.
Lonzo Ball unveils his first Big Baller Brand signature shoe for nearly $500
Even though he’s more than five months away from making his NBA debut, and nearly two months shy of being selected by an NBA team, Lonzo Ball his his own signature shoe.
The silhouette looks like several of the recent Kobe Bryant signature shoes, while the upper has a nice textured pattern to it. The BBB logo is rather understated, relative to what we expected.
Initial reports indicated Ball’s shoe, which is called the ZO2, would sell for more than $200. Indeed, that is the case, but that speculation missed the mark by several orders of magnitude.
Via Slam Online:
BBB is aiming for Lonzo’s signature sneaker to tap into a new market — above the athletic performance kicks from the likes of Nike, Jordan, adidas and Under Armour, but below the high-end designer shoes of Gucci, Prada or Louis Vuitton. The ZO2 Prime comes with a $495 price tag.
There is also a limited ZO2 WET Autographs edition, which will come in a key-locked glass box with a floor mirror, LED lights and an autograph from the Chino Hills prodigy himself. It will cost $995.
A Lonzo Ball-autographed pair of the shoes, in the "Wet" color scheme, are being sold for $995. Sandals with Lonzo Ball's logo on the top are $220 per pair.
The main shoe, at the aforementioned price of $495, has a "microfiber python texture" in matte black and what the website describes as a "Delorean finish."
In the past two years, the highest price for a pair of Jordan shoes released en masse to the public has been $400.
Last week, ESPN reported that major shoe companies expressed they weren't interested in the deal pitched to them by LaVar Ball in which they would have to license his Big Baller Brand. The shoes Ball had already designed were part of the pitch.
"We said from the beginning, we aren't looking for an endorsement deal," Ball said last week. "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."
The Big Baller Brand sells its gear on its website, with shirts and hats ranging from $38 to $100.
According to the website, all sales of the ZO2 are final and there could be a wait for fans to get a pair. The website says there will be no refunds or exchanges and that the shoes would be shipped by Nov. 24.
Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, whose shoes retail for between $13 and $68 at Walmart, weighed in with his thoughts on the ZO2 in a tweet Thursday.
Acting Golden State Warriors head coach Mike Brown also isn't interested in buying his kid $500 shoes, saying simply, "Uh, no!"
LaVar Ball seemed to answer critics who said the shoes are too expensive.
"You have to respect LaVar being entrepreneurial, betting on himself and trying to build a business," said Jason Stein, CEO of New York-based ad agency Laundry Service. "He's a larger-than-life character and generating a ton of attention. The shoes are nothing special and grossly overpriced, but I suspect that's intentional. In the context of building a brand -- his brand -- it's working."
Lonzo Ball, who played one year at UCLA, is projected to be among the top three picks in the NBA draft, which takes place June 22.
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Lonzo Ball unveils his first Big Baller Brand signature shoe for nearly $500
Even though he’s more than five months away from making his NBA debut, and nearly two months shy of being selected by an NBA team, Lonzo Ball his his own signature shoe.
The silhouette looks like several of the recent Kobe Bryant signature shoes, while the upper has a nice textured pattern to it. The BBB logo is rather understated, relative to what we expected.
Initial reports indicated Ball’s shoe, which is called the ZO2, would sell for more than $200. Indeed, that is the case, but that speculation missed the mark by several orders of magnitude.
Via Slam Online:
BBB is aiming for Lonzo’s signature sneaker to tap into a new market — above the athletic performance kicks from the likes of Nike, Jordan, adidas and Under Armour, but below the high-end designer shoes of Gucci, Prada or Louis Vuitton. The ZO2 Prime comes with a $495 price tag.
There is also a limited ZO2 WET Autographs edition, which will come in a key-locked glass box with a floor mirror, LED lights and an autograph from the Chino Hills prodigy himself. It will cost $995.
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