Written by Nick Schwartz at FoxSports.com
The Ball family stunned the sports world last week by unveiling Lonzo Ball’s first signature shoe – the ZO2 – before he is expected to be one of the top selections in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The ZO2 is selling for the steep price of $495 a pair, leading Shaquille O’Neal to call out LaVar Ball for releasing a shoe too expensive for children to purchase. LaVar Ball responded to criticism and explained why his son’s shoe costs so much during an appearance on “Undisputed” on Monday.
LaVar Ball: These shoes are symbolic
“I expected this reaction. The fact that people are losing sight – they’re looking at the price tag and not understanding that Lonzo’s shoe is symbolic. That comes with a price tag.
“Symbolic as he’s the first one ever to come in here without even playing a game and have his own brand. It’s not just a shoe you just go in a store or something like that and you say, ‘You know what, let me get the Kyrie, the LeBron… by the way, throw in the ZO2.’
“ZO2s mean something. That’s why the price tag is like that. That’s what the shoe’s worth.
“I bet you not one of those guys that I named sat in the room for the price of the shoe. ‘We just give you the shoe and here you go.’”
LaVar Ball on how he came up with $495:
Skip Bayless: “Did you seek advice to come up $495 or was that your…”
LaVar Ball: “No, I didn’t have to seek no advice, because it’s mine.”
Skip Bayless: “And how did you arrive at $495?”
LaVar Ball: “I think that’s what the shoe is worth.”
LaVar Ball on whether his son deserves a signature shoe already:
Shannon Sharpe: “The reason why he came up with $495… he’s like, ‘If I come up with a shoe for $100, or $125, ain’t nobody going to be talking about it.’ They’re talking about the price, not the shoe. But you got people’s attention. Now that you got their attention, how do you keep it with this shoe? Because, like you said, Lonzo hasn’t played a game.”
LaVar Ball: “He don’t have to play a game. He did more than enough. Look what he did for UCLA. He sold that place out, it ain’t been sold out in 10 years. What you mean he ain’t did enough? They’ve got Gucci and Prada, what have they done? At least my son can play.”
Shannon Sharpe: “But here’s the thing: Michael Jordan could not command $100 for pair of sneakers…”
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