As the NBA Draft get’s closer and closer in the coming months, the big named players entering the draft have started the process of talking to shoe companies in hopes to represent a brand. This has been a tradition over the years as the top companies like Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are always looking for young, up and coming players to be a part of their brand.
One of those big name players is UCLA point guard Lonzo Ball who is arguably one of the top point guards in this draft along with Washington point guard Markelle Fultz. However, the process for Ball acquiring a shoe deal has been put to a complete halt as of today.
Following from Darren Rovell of ESPN.
Ball’s father, LaVar, confirmed that the three shoe and apparel companies informed him they were not interested in completing a deal with his son. Sources with the three companies told ESPN.com that they indeed were moving on.
In his meetings with all three companies, LaVar insisted that they license his upstart Big Baller Brand from him, according to the companies. He also showed the companies a shoe prototype that he hoped would be Lonzo’s first shoe.
Although Ball has been turned down by three of the biggest shoe companies, his father Lavar Ball remains confident in their vision and will continue to seek out a suitor.
“We’ve said from the beginning, we aren’t looking for an endorsement deal,” LaVar told ESPN. “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.”
