Los Angeles Lakers: Markelle Fultz will not be joining Big Baller Brand
The Los Angeles Lakers are a big brand. They are not only one of the most recognizable NBA franchise, they are one of the most recognizable organizations in any sport around the world. LaVar Ball is hoping that Big Baller Brand can become as recognizable of a product around the world as well.
Ball is the founder of the Big Baller Brand. His son, Lonzo Ball, is the face of the company. Lonzo had his first pair of shoes released earlier this year with the ZO2s. He wore them a few times during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
The price tag is a little ridiculous, as they cost $495 dollars, but Ball has received backing from some prominent figures. Most recently, Jay-Z supported the company. Jay-Z bought three pairs of the ZO2s, getting behind the Big Baller Brand movement.
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If more big named celebrities begin backing the Big Baller Brand, it could come close to reaching the heights that the Ball family are hoping it achieves. Another way of quickly climbing towards that whole is other NBA players purchasing products.
One player that has expressed interest in the Big Baller Brand is Markelle Fultz. Fultz was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, one spot ahead of Lonzo. Having the top two picks in the draft class would have been quite a coup for the Big Baller Brand.
Prior to the draft, Fultz signed with Nike but entertained the idea of signing with Big Baller Brand. Earlier this month, he discussed it again, saying, he was hoping to be able to wear some Big Baller Brand gear.
LaVar was made aware of this during an interview with ESPN Los Angeles. He was asked about the possibility of signing Fultz to the brand, and his response may surprise some.
"“Yeah, it’s good for him. I’m not going to sign him to no contract, man. He got to go to the brand and get it like everybody else online.”"
The Big Baller Brand has been under the microscope for a while. While LaVar may say some outlandish things, there is no denying the fan base that the company is developing. They are doing well with their sales, and the freedom Lonzo had during the Summer League is something other athletes do not have with the bigger companies.
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This will be something to keep an eye on in the coming months and years. If Lonzo lives up to the hype, Big Baller Brand will go to another level. It could lead to more endeavors in the future for the company, with other athletes joining the brand as a possibility.