After NBA prospect Lonzo Ball revealed the first images of his Big Baller Brand sneaker, many have criticized him and his father, LaVar, but Michael Bennett gives his full support.
The BBB signature ZO2 Prime shoe retails for $495, according to Slam, and they were in development before the Balls’ negotiations with Nike, Under Armour and Adidas fell through.
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
LaVar Ball gloated about the hefty price tag, which is nearly $100 more than the Air Jordan 5 Retro Premium shoe, on Twitter Thursday, May 4.
Big Baller's loose! If you can't afford the ZO2'S, you're NOT a BIG BALLER! 💰
— Lavar Ball (@Lavarbigballer) May 4, 2017
Bennett, a defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks, found himself in a back-and-forth between sports fans who took issue with the high-priced sneaker when he backed LaVar Ball’s tweet.
@Lavarbigballer I will buy 2 pair I respect what u doing
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
Giving his kids a chance to be owners and not a slave to the system not one player gets stock in Nike this is his company a lot different
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
Keep buying Nike and Adidas n go visit their factories and see if u still feel that way
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
Bennett also had an answer for fans who questioned his support.
Yea my black Santa line n made in America brands
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
I wear Nike lol I'm Nike athlete I'm not going to hate on someone because he is doing things different
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
When I wasn't 20 i wasn't thinking of having my company I was doing what every other player was doing so it's cool tosee young people create
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
— Michael Bennett (@mosesbread72) May 5, 2017
Many Twitter users shared the same issues with the BBB and the other two pieces of footwear, including $220 slides and the ZO2 Wet Autographs edition. The $995 Wet shoe comes in a locked glass box complete with LED lights and Lonzo Ball’s signature.
Lonzo Ball hasn't dribbled a basketball ONCE in the NBA, and they're trying to sell his Big Baller Brand signature shoe for $495? pic.twitter.com/wK3lQwZT0j
— yes. ✭ (@iAmTerrace) May 4, 2017
Lavar Ball is not challenging the status quo or upending white supremacy. He's selfishly costing his son millions. That's it
— Jaspal Supra (@FCPaulSupra) May 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/richplow/status/860238084339892224
Accusations of the ZO2s logo being a rip-off of the Zone 6 design by Ohio State coach Zach Smith also flew, as Smith called out Lonzo Ball on the matter.
Looks familiar…. lol 🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/H95z52fxfu
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) May 4, 2017
Gonna start my own design firm… logos for any "big time" athlete for a small fee. #Zone6
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) May 5, 2017
S/O to whoever turned my logo into a sleek gold and white version!! #Robbery @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/2LyAoVyr3v
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) May 5, 2017
Smith also chimed in on LaVar Ball’s tweet that led Bennett to defend him against nasayers.
If you can't design your own logo… and cop a logo a freaking football coach designed… you're a CLOWN. 💯💯💯 https://t.co/kIlvDadWWM
— Zach Smith (@CoachZachSmith) May 5, 2017
ncG1vNJzZmiZpKGur8DAm6Oam5uowaK%2BjZympmdiZX54e49uZmltX6iyorTAsKKsZZ2esKmtxKVkm52eo7K1wIydnJ%2BdnpnAbrjAr5irZZKWua2%2FjJqaraGfo8BuvsSsp56bpGLCcA%3D%3D