Lonzo Ball is going with quite the bold marketing strategy, Cotton.
The former UCLA star unveiled his first signature shoe on Thursday, the ZO2 Primes, through his eponymous family company Big Baller Brand. The move makes Ball the first-ever player with an independently-made signature shoe heading into the NBA Draft.
The first Big Baller Brand sneaker, unveiled by Lonzo Ball: pic.twitter.com/q708gbiWdj
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) May 4, 2017
The Sports World is Forever Changed. Introducing Lonzo's 1st Signature Shoe: The ZO2 Prime. pic.twitter.com/5JN1OLxlZS
— Big Baller Brand (@bigballerbrand) May 4, 2017
One problem: the shoes are retailing for a ridiculous $495 a pair. There is also an option for an autographed pair priced at $995.
The ZO2 Primes cost $495 on the Big Baller Brand website. There is also a $995 option that comes autographed by Lonzo. pic.twitter.com/0VrKnuJZQ9
— Matt Cummings (@MattCummingsDB) May 4, 2017
At that kind of outrageous price point, it was only natural that the Internet would go in on Ball, father LaVar, and Big Baller Brand.
*big brick brand https://t.co/F1KxBpFoD4
— Four Pins (@Four_Pins) May 4, 2017
Surveillance footage from that time Lonzo Ball stopped by with them $500 gym shoes… pic.twitter.com/prNaJFWuQY
— G O L D I E. (@goldietaylor) May 4, 2017
Lonzo ball dad out here selling golf shoes for $495
— SAMMŸADAMS (@SammyAdams) May 4, 2017
When Lonzo Ball finds out his $495 shoes gonna be at Payless for $4.95
Credit – Cody pic.twitter.com/wac8ktjthG
— Crying Jordan (@CryingJordan) May 4, 2017
Lonzo: "Dad, maybe we should lower the price so people will actually buy them"
Lavar: pic.twitter.com/5qmQEqh2w2
— Crossover Report (@CrossoverReport) May 4, 2017
Those Big Baller Brand shoes better come with $350 rolled up under the sole.
— Ian Karmel (@IanKarmel) May 4, 2017
LaVar Ball when them Air Lonzo's hit Marshalls pic.twitter.com/LadtS9QYb5
— Legends (@LegendsofCH) May 4, 2017
New Lonzo Ball shoe first worn by Nuclear Man from Superman 4 pic.twitter.com/rFMSUqAE1m
— DAN (@danWorthington) May 4, 2017
How lonzo ball flip flops cost more than gucci flip flops pic.twitter.com/SLaLu1V2D2
— natE (@heyy_naTe) May 4, 2017
Lonzo Ball's signature shoes have 6 months until they wind up on the discount rack at Payless
— Max Bozicas (@Maxamillion725) May 4, 2017
LaVar Ball taking your ZO2 order like pic.twitter.com/KAwM5VcudF
— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) May 4, 2017
Lonzo & LaVar: "It's $500 for these Big Baller Brand Air Balls!" pic.twitter.com/v3HD7dOjRJ
— Legends (@LegendsofCH) May 4, 2017
Two years ago I interviewed high school star Lonzo Ball postgame. Now I can't afford even one pair of his shoes. Life comes at you fast. pic.twitter.com/xT1QwCY1CS
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) May 4, 2017
495 pesos? I hope he's not asking for 495 US dollars. Those look like the Payless 12's. Bring price down my G . https://t.co/RSKUMWwaDF
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) May 4, 2017
Lonzo Ball.. pic.twitter.com/sReMIYfWzz
— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) May 4, 2017
Lavar Ball and Lonzo Ball expect people to buy $500 Kobe knockoffs when Lonzo hasn't even scored a point in the NBA? pic.twitter.com/Ljw54GtHcV
— B R O C K (@troytheblackguy) May 4, 2017
Lonzo Ball's shoes look like what you'd get as the default 2K sneakers, only those are free and his are $500.
— Bryan Wiedey (@pastapadre) May 4, 2017
The move to go independent with the shoe isn’t surprising, as LaVar has long stressed that the family is looking for a co-branding deal with Big Baller Brand rather than an endorsement deal (which recently led to three major shoe companies walking away from Lonzo). But that kind of price is more than double the already ridiculous amount we heard rumors about earlier this week, so it’s safe to say the Ball family brought the memes on themselves.
