Ball Brothers to Roc Nation

4.27.20

Lonzo Ball, LaMelo Ball, LiAngelo Ball

Today, the Ball Brothers all signed a deal with Roc Nation Sports. If you follow the Ball brothers, or their Facebook series ‘Ball In The Family’, then you are likely familiar with Melo’s manager, Jermaine Jackson. Jermaine was Melo’s head coach at SPIRE, prior to moving to Australia with Melo as he went on to play overseas, where Jermaine would coach and manage Melo while the family was back in the states. ESPN shares quotes from Jermaine saying there were many conversations on the table with different agents, but the boys all wanted to sign with Jay-Z. Let’s be honest - who wouldn’t?

Roc Nation Sports is a management agency division of Roc Nation, which was founded in 2013. Though Jay-Z, the founder, is known for his music, he is an amazing businessman, over and above all things. He has truly formulated something outstanding with his roster of athletes, from baseball, to basketball, to esports, boxing, soccer, football and more. You know this team is constantly on top of their game, because in the roster line-up on the webpage, they already have Todd Gurley in a Falcons uniform. Google doesn’t even have that yet. As far as basketball players currently on the Roc Nation Sports roster, you have Kyrie Irving, Danny Green, Rudy Gay, Skylar Diggins and many more.

It will be interesting to see where the boys go from here. Jermaine adds to his comments “they are going to create something totally new.” I wonder what this means for them. What are they going to create? Does this influence new sneaker deals ahead? Where does Big Baller Brand come into play, if at all? Is LaVar happy about these new contracts?

Things have been rough with Big Baller Brand, since Alan Foster, LaVar’s former business partner, embezzled millions of dollars from their family business. Big Baller Brand has essentially had to start from the ground up, and it has not been an easy ride. Lonzo has been hesitant to return to a brand he feels has been tainted, and he has been attempting to influence his brothers to do the same, partaking in ‘free sneaker agency.’ While LiAngelo has previously stated he was sticking with the family brand, LaMelo never decided. It seems that with Jay-Z now on their side, there is going to be another voice of wisdom in these boys ears. Whether or not he tells the boys to sign back with their father, I am not sure. However, Jay-Z did say that when Big Baller Brand dropped the ZO2s, he bought three pairs to support. No matter what side you’re on, you have to respect that. It is apparent Jay has always looked out for these boys to some extent, so I am sure whatever comes next, will be the right decision for the boys.

LaMelo has been loudly searching for his perfect sneaker deal, and his draft number in the NBA. This draft will truly be exciting to see if he goes number one overall, and later, if he can top his brother on the court. Lonzo was recently traded to the Pelicans, and was hurt for a good portion of the year. Hopefully he can pick it up next season for some Ball Brother action. After a long, shaky process, LiAngelo has finally made it to the G League, as a member of the Oklahoma City Blue. I think this year is a wash with the coronavirus, but give him one more year in the league, then we’ll look out for him to join his brothers in the NBA.

Really interested to see what comes with the boys careers, on all levels, after this major new deal.