If you've been on social media at all today, you've likely heard of Big Baller Brand releasing the $495 ZO2 shoes. The ZO2 is the first signature sneaker of Lonzo Ball, a former UCLA point guard who is projected to be a top-three pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
If you don't know Lonzo, chances are you know his father, LaVar Ball. LaVar, a Jets tight end hopeful, has dominated sports headlines with outlandish claims of being better than Michael Jordan in his prime and his eldest son, Lonzo, already being better than Steph Curry. However, the most preposterous news came today when the ZO2 -- and its astronomical price tag -- dropped. Twitter had a field day. (To give you some perspective: LeBron James' latest sneaker model retails for $175.)
Rams punter Johnny Hekker got in on the Twitter slander, uh, I mean, saw the business opportunity to join BBB and announced his "collaboration" with the soon-to-be sports brand powerhouse.
Now, $9,000 may seem a tad bit ridiculous, even by BBB standards. However, if you look at what Hekker's already done in his professional sports career, it's not all that bad. Lonzo is charging $495 for his signature sneaker despite not having played a single NBA minute, while Hekker has spent five seasons in the NFL and made three Pro Bowls. See, the price range really is "pretty reasonable."
