LaVar Ball: The Man Who Rewrote the Rules

LaVar Ball is an American businessman and former athlete who founded Big Baller Brand in 2016. He’s the father of NBA players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, known for his bold marketing tactics and controversial statements that reshaped how athletes approach endorsement deals.

Few names in sports generate reactions like LaVar Ball. You either admire his confidence or question his methods. But one thing is certain: this father of three professional basketball players changed the conversation about athlete branding forever.

Born on October 23, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, Ball played football and basketball in high school before pursuing both sports at the collegiate level. His athletic career included a brief stint with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football. Yet his real impact came decades later as a father and businessman.

What This Article Covers

This piece explores how LaVar Ball built a family empire, his creation of Big Baller Brand, the controversies that made him famous, and where the Ball family stands today in professional basketball.

From Practice Squad to Personal Trainer

LaVar Ball never became an NFL star. He played for the London Monarchs where he recorded 28 kickoff return yards and no receptions. He joined the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers as a practice squad member but never played in a regular season game.

After his football career ended, Ball became a personal trainer in Southern California. This transition proved crucial. He developed intense training methods that he would later use with his three sons: Lonzo, LiAngelo, and LaMelo.

Ball led backyard workouts that developed the ability to run nonstop for entire games. This conditioning became a cornerstone of his training philosophy.

Building the Ball Brothers Brand

Ball took an unusual approach to his sons’ development. In 2013, he formed one travel basketball team featuring all three boys instead of joining established programs. The team focused on kids from neighborhoods around Chino Hills rather than recruiting talent from across the state.

This unconventional strategy paid off. Chino Hills High School went 35-0 and won a national championship. The Ball brothers became a national story. And LaVar was right there courtside, making predictions and shouting catchphrases that caught media attention.

The Birth of Big Baller Brand

Ball co-founded Big Baller Brand with Alan Foster’s help in 2016. The sports apparel company started by selling t-shirts, shorts, and sweatshirts online. But Ball had bigger plans.

The $495 Sneaker That Shocked the World

In May 2017, Big Baller Brand announced its first signature shoe for Lonzo. The ZO2 carried a retail price of $495. Critics immediately questioned the cost.

Shaquille O’Neal criticized Ball for overpricing the shoes. NFL players joined the conversation on social media. Some supported the move. Many others called it ridiculous.

Ball’s response became legendary. He tweeted: “If you can’t afford the ZO2’S, you’re NOT a BIG BALLER!”

The statement drew more criticism. But it also generated massive publicity. The Washington Post wrote that Ball’s promotion style was both shameless and smart.

Expanding the Product Line

Ball didn’t stop with Lonzo’s shoes. In September 2017, Big Baller Brand released the Melo Ball 1 (MB1) for LaMelo at $395. Then came the Gelo 3 for LiAngelo at the same price point.

The company even planned signature shoes for LaVar and his wife Tina. LaVar’s shoes would be called LaVariccis. Tina’s shoes, titled “The Comeback,” honored her recovery from a stroke in 2017.

Ball Family Signature Shoes:

Shoe Model	Player	Price	Release Year
ZO2	Lonzo Ball	$495	2017
MB1	LaMelo Ball	$395	2017
Gelo 3/G3 Lux	LiAngelo Ball	$395	2017
LaVariccis	LaVar Ball	TBA	Announced
The Comeback	Tina Ball	TBA	Announced

The Lithuania Adventure

When LiAngelo faced suspension from UCLA after a shoplifting incident in China, Ball made a bold move. He sent LiAngelo and LaMelo to play professionally in Lithuania for Vytautas Prienai-Birštonas in January 2018.

Ball reportedly gave significant money to Vytautas to help pay off debts, allowing Big Baller Brand to become the team’s main sponsor. The investment was around 100,000 Euros.

Vytautas withdrew from the Baltic Basketball League and created a five-game exhibition series called the Big Baller Brand Challenge Games. The games streamed on Facebook and heavily promoted the company.

The arrangement didn’t last long. After a loss in April 2018, Ball pulled his sons from the team. The head coach later stated the family came for the show, not basketball.

Controversies and Criticism

LaVar Ball never shied away from controversy. His boldest statements often made headlines.

Challenging NBA Legends

Nike’s global basketball marketing director George Raveling called Ball “the worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years” in April 2017.

Ball made claims about beating Michael Jordan one-on-one. He said his son was better than Stephen Curry. These statements generated outrage and attention in equal measure.

The Donald Trump Incident

When LiAngelo was detained in China for shoplifting, President Trump intervened. The three UCLA players, including LiAngelo, were released after Trump discussed the matter with President Xi Jinping.

Most people thanked Trump. LaVar Ball publicly refused to do so. This sparked a brief feud between the president and the basketball dad.

The Alan Foster Scandal

In March 2019, problems emerged with Big Baller Brand. Lonzo cut ties with co-founder Alan Foster after his financial manager claimed Foster stole $1.5 million from the company.

Reports showed Foster had been arrested in 2002 for money laundering and fraud. Lonzo stopped wearing Big Baller Brand shoes and switched to Nike. The family considered folding the business entirely.

The Injury Debate

Both Lonzo and LaMelo have dealt with significant injuries. Lonzo hasn’t played basketball since January 2022. LaMelo has battled ankle problems throughout his NBA career.

Critics pointed to LaVar’s intense training methods and the original Big Baller Brand shoes. Some blamed the shoes for contributing to injuries. In 2024, Lonzo described the original Big Baller Brand shoes as “like kickball shoes” and acknowledged they often caused discomfort.

Ball disagreed with this assessment. He blamed NBA conditioning programs, saying his sons “got away from me” and started doing “roody-poo workouts”. He argued that rubber band exercises and lightweight training caused breakdowns, not his hill running workouts.

He also criticized the shoes his sons wore in the NBA. Ball blamed LaMelo’s ankle injuries on “raggedy shoes,” referring to the Puma brand.

The Ball Brothers Today

Despite injuries, both NBA-playing Ball brothers secured major contracts. LaMelo signed a five-year deal that could pay him as much as $260 million. He’s averaged 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists per game throughout his career.

Lonzo’s contract will have paid him $80 million by its end, even though he hasn’t played in more than two years. His rehabilitation continues with the Chicago Bulls.

LaVar’s Current Goals

LaVar Ball still dreams of seeing his three sons play together. In September 2024, he expressed his desire for all three Ball brothers to join the LA Clippers. He cited his respect for owner Steve Ballmer and even joked about their similar names.

In November 2024, Ball hinted that “help is coming” for the Charlotte Hornets during a game. Fans speculated he was referring to a potential Lonzo trade to join LaMelo in Charlotte.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the Chicago Bulls are open to trading Lonzo before the deadline. This could finally allow two of the Ball brothers to play together.

The Junior Basketball Association

Ball created the Junior Basketball Association (JBA) in 2018. The league offered an alternative to the NCAA by paying players between $3,000 and $10,000 per month.

Players also received 60 percent of their jersey sales. Wilson Basketball signed on as a sponsor. LiAngelo and LaMelo both played in the JBA before pursuing other professional opportunities.

The league aimed to provide a direct pipeline to the NBA without college basketball. However, the JBA only lasted one season before ceasing operations.

Ball in the Family Reality Show

The Ball family starred in their own reality show called “Ball in the Family.” It aired on Facebook Watch for six seasons, following the family’s daily life and basketball journey.

The show took a different approach from traditional sports documentaries. It gave fans behind-the-scenes access to the Ball family’s decisions, training sessions, and personal moments.

The Facebook platform made the show free to billions of users worldwide. This increased the family’s global reach and strengthened their brand recognition.

LaVar Ball’s Marketing Genius

Love him or hate him, Ball understood marketing. He positioned his family as underdogs fighting against established sports companies. He created controversy to generate free publicity. He built a brand around personality rather than product quality.

His approach worked. Before the Ball family, most rookie prospects signed standard endorsement deals with major companies. LaVar showed athletes they could build their own brands and retain more control.

This wasn’t always successful. Big Baller Brand faced quality issues, financial scandals, and credibility problems. But the core idea influenced how the next generation of athletes think about endorsements.

The Numbers Behind Big Baller Brand

In May 2017, Ball told Colin Cowherd that Big Baller Brand had sold between 400 and 520 pairs of ZO2 shoes. At $495 each, this generated roughly $200,000 to $257,000 in revenue from one product.

The company’s website shut down in April 2019 after the Alan Foster scandal. It reopened in December 2020 but with limited activity. As of 2024, Big Baller Brand focuses more on lifestyle products than basketball shoes.

What LaVar Ball Got Right

Despite criticism, Ball achieved his main goal. He set his sons up for financial success.

Both Lonzo and LaMelo can be difference makers in the league when healthy. They secured generational wealth before age 30. LiAngelo signed a recording deal with Def Jam after his song “Tweaker” went viral.

Ball’s job wasn’t to make basketball stars for fans. His job was ensuring his sons’ talent translated to long-term financial security. By that measure, he succeeded completely.

The Lasting Impact

A rule now exists in some venues prohibiting media from speaking to Ball and family members during home games. It’s unofficially called “the LaVar Ball rule.”

Whether this is good or bad depends on perspective. But it shows the impact Ball had on the sports media landscape.

His boldness opened doors for athlete empowerment. Players now question traditional endorsement structures. They ask for more control over their brands. They launch their own companies.

Not all succeed like LaMelo. But the conversation changed. Athletes now think differently about their business opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is LaVar Ball?

LaVar Ball is a businessman and former athlete who founded Big Baller Brand and is the father of NBA players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball.

What is Big Baller Brand?

Big Baller Brand is a sports apparel company founded in 2016 that sells clothing and shoes, most notably signature sneakers for the Ball brothers.

How much did the ZO2 shoes cost?

The original ZO2 shoes retailed for $495, which sparked widespread criticism from sports figures and fans.

Are all three Ball brothers in the NBA?

Lonzo and LaMelo play in the NBA. LiAngelo has played in the G League and overseas but hasn’t secured an NBA roster spot.

Is Big Baller Brand still operating?

Yes, but with limited activity. The company focuses on lifestyle products after shutting down temporarily in 2019 following financial scandals.

The Ball Family’s Next Chapter

LaVar Ball remains a polarizing figure. His methods drew criticism. His boldness created opportunities. His sons achieved professional success despite injuries and controversies.

The Ball family story isn’t finished. Lonzo works toward returning to the court. LaMelo continues establishing himself as an All-Star talent. LiAngelo pursues music and basketball opportunities.

And LaVar? He keeps promoting, predicting, and pushing for his vision of all three sons playing together. Whether this happens remains to be seen. But one truth is undeniable: LaVar Ball changed how we think about athlete branding, family dynamics in sports, and the relationship between confidence and controversy.

His legacy extends beyond shoes and statements. He showed that unconventional paths can lead to success. He proved that controlling your narrative matters. And he demonstrated that sometimes the loudest voice in the room deserves attention, even when people wish it didn’t.