Lavar Ball Explains Why The Zo2 Prime Costs $495

The Kris Jenner of the basketball world, LaVar Ball, has taken to Undisputed on FS1 to enlighten the public as to why the  Prime costs $495. In the short time since it was announced, the shoe has gained notoriety for a number of reasons (which we go into ), but the price tag is what most are fixated on. So, why does it cost so much?

‘ZO2s mean something,’ Ball tells the hosts, ‘that’s why the price tag is like that.’ It’s a nebulous response, sure, but there is merit to the way the Ball family have tackled the sponsorship situation. ‘[Lonzo] is the first one ever to come in here without even playing a game and having his own brand,’ says Ball. In and of itself, that’s a huge feat. Just as Nike’s Breaking2 efforts have opened the door to new possibilities, future players can use approach – even if it falls short – as a lodestar to guide them down a similar path.

Of course, Ball doesn’t get through the interview without a few hiccups. When he’s put on the spot about his comment that those who can’t afford the ZO2 are simply not ‘big ballers’, he flat out lies: ‘I didn’t say "if you can’t afford" the $495, I said "if you don’t cop" the ZO2s you’re not a baller.’ However, his tweet below states the contrary.

Throughout the rest of the segment he tiptoes around how many shoes have actually been ordered, first stating that people shouldn’t get stuck up on the numbers and then that 495 pairs have been ordered. There’s more, including LaVar’s response to those who say that he has stolen the ZO2 logo, which you can view in the full interview below.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1O407LFGyEc