Shaq shared his thoughts on the release of Lonzo Ball’s ZO2 sneaker and its retail price.
Both LaVar and Lonzo Ball have no problem captivating their audience. Absurd comments and a fashion brand that should be under scrutiny for copyright, has stopped neither of them. The tenacious words that come out of LaVar’s mouth continue to give him complementary publicity. And things just got better for him and the Big Baller Brand, as his son, Lonzo, debuted his ZO2 shoe. One might find it aesthetically pleasing, but pretty much everyone hates it because of the price.
Like many others gawking at the $500 price, ex-NBA star Shaquille O’Neal is thinking along the same lines. Shaq, too, once had his own line of sneakers, the Shaq Attaqs. Reebok would be the manufacturer behind those shoes, of which cost no more than $180. Shaq also had a couple more sneaker debuts, but, still, they never lived up to Lonzo Ball is charging for his main line, which is followed by $220 sandals.
Hey @Lavarbigballer real big baller brands don't over charge kids for shoes. pic.twitter.com/N2U0VPXXyt
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) May 4, 2017
It’s a hopeless endeavor to any consumer who purchases the ZO2’s. Not only is the price steep, but many others have noticed that they lack authenticity. If anyone knows their sneakers, like, say shoe dog and Nike CEO Phil Knight, then they’ll see that the ZO2 has an unintended chronological history. Kobe Bryant, the man behind some of Nike’s most marketable shoes, had an eerily similar shoe line, the Kobe Bryant 6s. Luckily for Lonzo, who most likely avoided copyright infringement, Nike didn’t want to sign him.
Despite the fortune that surrounds the Ball empire, there’s also a level of disrespect for the customers who buy the ZO2. One caveat is that the shoes themselves won’t be shipped out until late-November. And if that’s not enough cautionary tape, then the “no refund” policy is cringeworthy enough. Lonzo Ball might perform well at basketball, but his marketing etiquette needs to be polished.
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Of course, this isn’t the first time that sports has been blessed with “luxury goods.” Kanye West would end up releasing his Yeezy 350s and 750s, which are cleats that are tailored toward football players. And since West is an established designer, he has all right to charge customers $250-300 for a pair. Lonzo Ball, on the other hand, has no business demanding $500, while asking for $500 more for a signature. Do yourself a favor, Zo, and listen to your elders, like Shaq.