SameOldNudityDrew wrote:Doper's right that big shoe companies exploit labor and make obscene profits on cheap quality gear. Of course, all of us who buy that stuff are complicit in it as well.
But I still hate LaVar Ball and the media feeding frenzy over the stupid stuff he says. In some ways he's the traditional horrible sports dad, but it's like the internet feedback loop has amped up his ignorant, selfish, boastful, trollish behavior. Isn't it bad enough we already have one of these as president?
He's brash and crazy and totally says stupid shit. But how long have shoe companies made commercials equating men who put a ball in a hoop to superheros and deities? I hate that someone feels compelled to act that way to fit into this crazy world. But I think i get it and don't fault him. Also I think he legitimately wants the best for his kids and don't think he is going to negatively affect their game.
thedoper wrote:I may be in the minority but after finding out more about the family I am in support of Lavar. He saw the unethical way that the shoe companies in partnership with agents treat these kids as cattle from a very young age. Many of whom are low income and desperate. In response he is trying to pave a way independently in a monopolized market. He made his own AAU team for his kids and branded it himself without selling out to any shoe company. Is he loud, brash and annoying? Of course. But so are Nike and Addidas. He rightly recognizes that a large chunk of the sport has turned into selling sneakers and maybe some sprite too. If we criticize Lavar we should even more so the large shoe companies who have been overcharging for cheap sneakers made by child labor for years.
Thats all well and good, but $500 seems a bit steep for shoes don't you think?
I actually think it's pure genius. He isn't catering to everyone, he is letting every other shoe company compete at the 50-200 dollar levels. It also created huge publicity 6 months before they are even released or before Alonzo steps on the court. Allowing them to gain seed money. Further, there are plenty of people in this world who love buying things that most deem unaffordable or can't at least rationalize paying for it. He will sell thousands upon thousands this first year because of that. That will amount to millions. That's not to mention the amount of athletes (former and current) who will buy them and endorse them (see chad Johnson) because they support what Lavar is trying to do to shake up the monopoly companies like Nike have in sports entertainment. Hell, if Ball turns out special then Nike, Adidas, etc. are looking at competing with many more start up brands by players.
Lavar is not a stupid man.
Uh...he's only sold 400-500 pairs since they launched pre-orders so far. Saying he's going to sell thousands upon thousands in the first year seems highly unrealistic unless Lonzo just lights up the league.
On the podcast Duke posted with Mannix Woj and Givoney they said teams have actually come back with good feedback from people when asking about LaVar. They said he followed all the rules UCLA had for him. They never had a problem with him. They also said they would assume that if Lavar starts coming out and ripping Alonzo's coaches and teammates etc that his relationship with his son won't last Alonzo will have to cut him out of his life to some extent to survive. I thought Lavar crossed a line when he threw Alonzo's teammates etc under the bus.
I don't click on Lavar stories so ai don't keep up with everything. I don't really want to. Other absolutely make a great point that other shoe companies are making millions off of guys etc. they have also done a lot to grow the game of basketball with all their camps which help find the best prospect and shower teams and coaches and players with gear etc. there is plenty of negative stuff too. People are probably tired of hearing me reference the book "Boys Among Men" but it goes into plenty of detail about all the stuff with the shoe companies and various people trying to get theirs.
Edited: changed book title from "Bots Among Men" to the correct "Boys Among Men" it was kind of a funny mistype though.
so you can assume he is already approaching 500k in sales. What do you think immediately happens in California alone if the hometown kid is actually drafted to LA? They are already getting free worldwide publicity. They don't need to sell 100,000. 10,000 alone would do it. Free publicity, no paying stores to showcase them, etc. They are pocketing everything and will make millions off of this.
TheFuture wrote:so you can assume he is already approaching 500k in sales. What do you think immediately happens in California alone if the hometown kid is actually drafted to LA? They are already getting free worldwide publicity. They don't need to sell 100,000. 10,000 alone would do it. Free publicity, no paying stores to showcase them, etc. They are pocketing everything and will make millions off of this.
And yet they are asking Nike, Adidas, etc. for 1-3 billion (original was 1, now he's up to 3). That's my problem with it. They might, and I say might strongly, pull in 8 figures but to ask for a billion when you're maybe only making 8 figures is ridiculous.
TheFuture wrote:so you can assume he is already approaching 500k in sales. What do you think immediately happens in California alone if the hometown kid is actually drafted to LA? They are already getting free worldwide publicity. They don't need to sell 100,000. 10,000 alone would do it. Free publicity, no paying stores to showcase them, etc. They are pocketing everything and will make millions off of this.
Shouldn't they already be seeing much higher numbers?
Lavar is negotiating. Lonzo will be lucky to be a top 50 player in the league.
In 2003 Lebron got a 7 year 90M contract with Mike. Jordan got a 5 year 2.5M in 1984. Since LeBron just signed a lifetime contract for about 1B he set the bar. The number one shoe is selling about $340 million a years worth. Not enough to justify a kid that won't sniff the top 20 in the league no matter where he plays. .
