LaVar Ball's War Against Nike and Adidas Off to a Rough Start

LaVar and Lonzo Ball spotted wearing Jordan and Adidas sneakers following Big Baller Brand launch.

Lonzo Lavar Ball Air Jordans Adidas
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Lonzo Lavar Ball Air Jordans Adidas

LaVar Ball's plan to make Nike and Adidas regret passing on a co-branding opportunity with his son Lonzo and Big Baller Brand appears to be heading in the wrong direction.

At yesterday's Ballislife All-American Game at Long Beach City College, photographer Cassy Athena snapped this shot of the Ball family—LaVar, Lonzo and LaMelo—sitting courtside. Immediately, people noticed that despite unveiling Lonzo's ZO2 Big Baller Brand signature sneaker earlier week, the brothers were laced up in Jordan Retros, while LaVar wore the Adidas Energy Boost 3.

There's a few things to unpack here. First, there's probably only one or two ZO2 prototypes in existence, as pre-orders being placed aren't expected to ship until November. Also, no matter what happens with Big Baller Brand moving forward, LiAngelo and LaMelo will be wearing Under Armour when they attend UCLA in the coming seasons.

Still, following a week of being praised for his marketing, LaVar not having a few pairs of ZO2s on deck for the family's first public appearance post-unveiling feels like a missed opportunity. In their defense, they were dressed in Big Baller Brand gear, but everyone knows it's the sneakers that make the statement. After weeks of outlandish statements and claims, the world is watching every move the Balls make.