Do you know what it takes to ask Nike for a $1 billion endorsement contract for your three basketball-playing sons?
A lot of Balls.
Three, to be exact.
That’s what infamous sports dad Lavar Ball wants for his sons, Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LiMelo: a [Dr. Evil voice] $1 billion shoe deal. It’s nice to want things for your kids, but it’s probably detrimental to their lives to make wild demands through the press. If your dad went to the media and demanded free olives because you did well on a science test or a starring role in the 11th season in Big Bang Theory because you’re good at botany. Maybe just stay out of the way.
Still, Nike responded to the $1 billion demand. Forbes has it:
Nike co-founder Phil Knight called Lonzo Ball “an awfully great player” and said “Yeah, we [Nike] have an interest,” when asked about the UCLA star who announced his intentions to forego his final three years of eligibility and enter the 2017 NBA Draft.
However, Knight also said that the $1 billion asking price Lonzo’s dad LaVar Ball mentioned would be “a little steep.” LaVar has sent the media and sports world into a mild frenzy every time he opens his mouth. The aforementioned asking price was one of LaVar most eye-popping comments.
It’s highly doubtful any company offers the Balls $1 billion, but you shouldn’t blame LaVar for trying; Knight sure doesn’t. “If he can get it, get it,’’ he said.
“It’s highly doubtful any company offers the Balls $1 billion” is just an incredible sentence. You only get one chance during your lifetime to write it, and this Forbes author took it and ran with it.
(Forbes)
