Top NBA prospect causes outrage with $495 shoe , $220 slides

[Tennis]

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/article148745229.html
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/1...hoe-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 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.

Matt Powell, who covers the shoe business for NPD Group, a market retail tracking firm, called Ball's first signature shoe announcement "a setback" for Lonzo Ball.

"None of the shoe companies are going to sign him now," he said.

"They could sell 10,000 pairs, but I don't see that as a threat to anybody," Powell added. "This will be very short-lived. And I think, in the end, LaVar has cost his family a lot of money. For Lonzo alone, he could have gotten $2 million a year [for four or five years] on a rookie shoe deal and then, if he was good, could have re-signed for a lot more."

l

Wow. This guy sure is confident. Hasn't even proven he can be a star yet he's trying to sell shoes for a higher price than LeBron or Steph.

[Edge-]

He sure doesn't look like Michael Jordan...

[Tennis]

Well MJ can't get the GOAT forever.

[GreenJesus]

HAHAHA He said Lebron James and Kobe Bryant were nothing! He said Lonzo has higher price cause he's bigger than them before even playing a single game in the NBA. He said if you can't pay 495 dollars for a pair of shoes then you aren't a real baller. Great example setters for the black community. Inc poor kids that can't afford health care that buy this shoe. These shoes are special alright.. They will be the shoes of the biggest flop in NBA history.

I literally can't wait for no one to sign him because they don't want to deal with his father.

[Sunseeker]

HAHAHA He said Lebron James and Kobe Bryant were nothing! He said Lonzo has higher price cause he's bigger than them before even playing a single game in the NBA. He said if you can't pay 495 dollars for a pair of shoes then you aren't a real baller. Great example setters for the black community. Inc poor kids that can't afford health care that buy this shoe. These shoes are special alright.. They will be the shoes of the biggest flop in NBA history.

I literally can't wait for no one to sign him because they don't want to deal with his father.

Oh wait, this is that gem again? Fuck doesn't he actually suck as a player?

[Garnier Fructis]

Big Baller's loose! If you can't afford the ZO2'S, you're NOT a BIG BALLER!

Great way to tank your brand, jackass.

[Moralgy]

Save the money, buy a 3d printer, and print your own pair for around the same cost.

[lockedout]

These are the ugliest shoes. They are already branded TJ Maxx airs. For 1.1k you can get the "Wets."

[Doomislav]

Well MJ can't get the GOAT forever.

Goat to the ceiling when the roof! RWR

[melodramocracy]

What's the outrage for? No laws against parting fools from their money.

[Ripster42]

I wonder how much I can get for these slides.

[LilSaihah]

What's the outrage for? No laws against parting fools from their money.

Was gonna say.

Shoes. Who gives a shit?

[lockedout]

I wonder how much I can get for these slides.

Slides are $220.00, read the thread.

- - - Updated - - -

Was gonna say.

Shoes. Who gives a shit?

Resellers prolly.

[Felya]

Well MJ can't get the GOAT forever.

His father claims he could have beaten MJ hands down in their prime.

Ball family are now the Kardashians of the NBA... which is funny considering LaMar Odom and Kris Humphreys were married to a Kardashian... oh shit... why do I know this... /face_shame

[Macaquerie]

I don't understand why people are getting indignant over this. It's not like all other sneakers aren't already absurdly overpriced, or that the whole idea of an athlete endorsement somehow equaling a better product actually makes sense. I mean, I know it sounds silly to say this but, how well Ball plays in the NBA has nothing to do with whether the shoe is worth buying.

[Tennis]

It's one thing when a legend is selling shoes for a high price. But when a hyped up prospect is? Why would anyone by the shoes?

[Shakadam]

Those are ugly as hell.

[TITAN308]

Their targeted market are generally (exceptions withstanding) people who are terrible with money anyhow. Not surprising.

In before the, "Titan whats that suppose to mean HUH HUH HUH?"

It means people who spend $500+ on shoes are fucking morons.

[Machismo]

I'm not sure where the outrage is. Sure, there's plenty of people mocking him derisively, but I don't see any outrage.

[Beazy]

I would never wear nike again. I used to think they were the pinnacle of comfort. Then I hit age 35 and purchased Clarks. I will never buy another shoe brand as long as I live. Wearing Clarks is like walking on a sponge of air. They only cost 70 bucks.

Who spends 400 on shoes? Wouldnt kids rather have a Xbox or PS4?