This morning, ESPN reported that Nike, Adidas and Under Armour passed on a shoe deal with Lonzo Ball.
According to ESPN, it was because of LaVar Ball’s insistence on a co-branding deal rather than an endorsement deal.
The outspoken father of the Ball brothers told ESPN that he asked the companies to partner with the family’s brand “Big Baller Brand,” but the companies wanted an endorsement deal with Lonzo.
“Just imagine how rich Tiger [Woods], Kobe [Bryant], Serena [Williams], [Michael] Jordan and LeBron [James] would have been if they dared to do their own thing,” LaVar told ESPN. “No one owned their own brand before they turned pro. We do and I have three sons so it’s that much more valuable.”
The companies confirmed to ESPN that they were no longer interested in a deal with Lonzo.
It’s a move that ESPN reporter Darren Rovell wrote was unprecedented when it comes to a potential first-round pick in the NBA draft.
The internet, again, took aim at LaVar Ball who has a reputation for saying and doing outlandish things.
The Lavar Ball chronicles again smh. — Prop J-Rell (@rell2tru) April 28, 2017
the more time goes by the more I believe Lonzo and his brothers are actually being held captive pic.twitter.com/lDy9iDwWc0 — terrance *gucci mane* rozier (@_ozymandius) April 28, 2017
Lavar Ball already killing his sons future earnings potential. Dude is a clown, kids need to tell him to ride the bench and enjoy life. — Courtside (@crtsdsnkrs) April 28, 2017
LaVar Bell is a Complete nut with delusions of grandeur. — Jeff Metz (@JT_Metz) April 28, 2017
Lonzo need to fire his Lavar Ball from being his dad! — Comedian J_Bond (@Comedian_007) April 28, 2017
Don't ever be Lavar Ball, don't get in the way of your kids, don't be that selfish asshole father living through his kids. — El Magnetico (@J0nathanSanchez) April 28, 2017
I also don't think LaVar is dumb but I do think he may not know how this business works — Photographer of the stars (@SGaines31) April 28, 2017
Which Bluth family member is LaVar Ball? https://t.co/kK81ZxbLq1 — Austin Flack (@austinflack) April 28, 2017
In Los Angeles, the phrases “LaVar,” “Lonzo,” and “Big Baller Brand” were each trending on Twitter.
So not only has "Big Baller Brand" been a failure, Lavar Ball just cost Lonzo a shoe deal of any kind with all of his "genius." — Aram Tolegian (@ChemicalAT) April 28, 2017
Lavar Ball is about to ramp it up even MORE now in regards to his "Big Baller" Brand. You think he was "loud" before….. — Dwight Walton 🇨🇦 (@Bballinsider) April 28, 2017
LaVar is bozo of the year 🤡 — Broke Jiggy Nelly 😁 (@Nelzzzzz32) April 28, 2017
LaVar and Lonzo Ball walking out of every sneaker meeting like pic.twitter.com/pXa1fE0RMT — sreekar (@sreekyshooter) April 28, 2017
I can already see LaVar calling out Lonzo 1st coach in NBA in like a month tops. https://t.co/bZ43BhUWNA — Meet Me At The Rim (@MirazNBA) April 28, 2017
have yall ever one time in your life seen someone in public wearing a big baller brand shirt ? — 🏀N-jay 🇨🇦 (@_Njay3) April 28, 2017
I'm copping a big baller brand sweatsuit in every color idc — Wavie Crockett (@sifetramic) April 28, 2017
I never talk down on anybody's brand or anything they got going on, but "Big Baller Brand" gotta go to sleep and never wake up — I am the prize (@Rioozayyy) April 28, 2017
My pledge to you: if the #sixers draft Lonzo Ball, I will not write/talk about LaVar unless his distraction impacts the team on the court. — Derek Bodner (@DerekBodnerNBA) April 28, 2017
Just being Lavar. He tried to run the high school team and the coach wasn't having it and left — Dez (@_phantomSix_) April 28, 2017
lol nobody is gonna buy "Big Baller Brand" products no matter how good this kid is at sports https://t.co/scXDGD1ynd — Teddard Stark (@rajonmarlo) April 28, 2017
Big baller brand, sounds like something not even Marshall's would carry. — Jesse² (@xTheSurgeonx) April 28, 2017
Lavar ball should worry less bout his sons shoes and more about his teeth — Joshua☁️ (@ADzJoshJ) April 28, 2017
Some on Twitter had ideas about other brands the Ball family could partner with.
Lonzo Ball gonna end up wearing Hoop Shoes by Skechers because of his dad. — Roy (@kidroybot) April 28, 2017
Lavar Ball is gonna get his sons a deal with Crocs and high cut white socks 🐊 — Josh (@maizenblue_me) April 28, 2017
Lonzo Ball gone be balling in some LA Gears or British Knights this season — Lo (@JustMe_Lo) April 28, 2017