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Looking back at the Los Angeles Lakers moneymakers

By ANTHONY BISCIELLO

Aug 1998: Kobe Bryant during a conference at an Adidas promotional tour of Sydney, Australia. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport
Aug 1998: Kobe Bryant during a conference at an Adidas promotional tour of Sydney, Australia. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport /
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Being a member of the Los Angeles Lakers is special. Getting to play in the Staples Center with those bright lights on you and that large crowd of fans, celebrities, moguls, and millionaires watching you only adds to it. What else comes with all that?

After all, this is Hollywood, the hub of entertainment. For some players, the wonderful addition of endorsements, as well as possible movie, television, or music deals can be available as well.

We have seen so many Lakers have other things going on in their life in the world of endorsements and entertainment other than basketball.

The Los Angeles Lakers moneymakers:

The first name that comes to mind is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He had that great part in the Bruce Lee film, “The Game of Death” in 1974. He also appeared in “Airplane!”, “Fletch”, and “Different Strokes” among other films and TV shows. He also set the record for any player in 1969 when he got an endorsement deal for Adidas sneakers and was paid $25,000.

Do you remember Magic Johnson and Converse sneakers? He and Larry Bird were the faces for the company back in the day. What about Magic Johnson’s Fast Break video game for the original Nintendo?

Johnson also appeared in films and TV shows as well as commercials. He had that great cameo in the 80’s film, “She’s Having A Baby”. Then of course came his role as Pee-Wee Herman’s cousin on “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” along with his taking part in the music video, “Voices That Care”. Magic also recently appeared on “Empire” as well.

Kobe Bryant sure had his share of endorsements. There was that great Sprite commercial with him and the great Tim Duncan. Then of course was the “Obey Your Thirst” commercials also for Sprite. The Most Valuable Puppets commercials with him and Lebron James were funny and memorable.

He had his share of video games as well such as, “Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside” for Nintendo 64, and appeared on the cover of games like “NBA Action 98”, “NBA 2K10”, “NBA 2K14”, “NBA 07 “The Life” Volume 2″ etc.

His biggest endorsement was with his signature sneakers.

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In 1996-1997, Bryant signed a multi million dollar deal with Adidas and hadn’t even been drafted yet! He had endorsements from Nike as well and appeared in commercials promoting different styles such as the Hyperdunk shoes.

Bryant also made his way into movies and tv shows appearing in things such as “Modern Family”, “Hang Time”, “In The House”, “Moesha”, and “Arliss”. Kobe even had his own music album entitled “K.O.B.E.”

Anthony Davis is another Laker that seems to be popping up all over. He scored a major deal with Ruffles potato chips not too long after he came to the Lakers. He’s also appeared in commercials for Foot Locker, H&R Block, Red Bull, Nike, Michelob Ultra etc. Davis also graced the cover of video games such as “NBA 2K20” and “NBA 2K16”. He also had a major shoe deal with Nike in in 2016-17.

LeBron James is no stranger to endorsements, movies, and television. “Space Jam: A New Legacy” is coming soon and James of course is in the starring role. It seems that no matter where you look on TV, he will always pop up. Sort of like the Peyton Manning of the NBA.

James has been in commercials for Samsung, Sprite, State Farm, Nike, Bose’s Powerbeats etc. LeBron even had his own animated TV series called “The LeBrons”. He also appeared on “Entourage”, “SpongeBob Squarepants”, “The Simpsons”, and the film “Trainwreck”.

James has also been on the cover of video games such as “NBA 2K14” and the 20th Anniversary edition of “NBA 2K19”.

Kyle Kuzma also has his own endorsement deals. In 2019 he signed a deal with Puma. He also has a deal with the sneaker reselling app GOAT.

Former star Pau Gasol also had a deal with Nike. He was more famous in his home country of Spain where he appeared in commercials for companies such as Banco Popular and San Miguel Beer (his brother Marc Gasol appeared with him in that commercial).

New Balance signed Lakers great James Worthy to a deal when he came into the league as he became the first athlete to ever endorse anything from the company. He even had his own signature shoe, called the P740s. He also appeared in tv shows such as “Arliss” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.

No one has done more when it comes to endorsements, movies, TV and music than the great Shaquille O’Neal. In my opinion, he is a genius when it comes to this. Is there anywhere he doesn’t show up or anything he doesn’t endorse?

Icy Hot, General Auto Insurance, Burger King, RadioShack, Vitamin Water, Kraft Foods, Reebok, etc. O’Neal has endorsed everything from sleep apnea masks to drone watches. How about those Gold Bond commercials?

The charismatic O’Neal was never shy when it came to movies either.

Anyone remember the film “Blue Chips” where he portrayed Neon Bordeaux? Or what about “Kazaam” and “Steel”? He’s appeared in films and television shows such as, “The Wash”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Scary Movie 4”, “Grown Ups 2”, “Uncle Drew”, “The Simpsons”, and more.

Most recently, Shaq has been doing commercials for Frosted Flakes where he goes toe to toe with the famous Tony the Tiger. Kellogg’s has announced that Frosted Flakes has teamed with Shaq and they will introduce Crispy Cinnamon flavored basketballs with frosted flakes as it is the first time the company has ever teamed up with an athlete.

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So, Shaq now has his own cereal! O’Neal was also a rapper. He released an album entitled, “Shaq Diesel” which went platinum. I still remember his rap for the song, “What’s Up Doc (Can We Rock)” from the group, the Fu-Schnickens. Shaq went on to release a few more albums and is now a DJ as well.

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