LaVar Ball’s control over his sons has been a hotly-debated topic since he became a household name years ago. His parenting techniques have been oft-discussed and criticized over the years, perhaps never more so than when he called Lonzo “damaged goods.”
Those comments came during an argument about Big Baller Brand in the wake of Alan Foster’s embezzlement charges as Lonzo discussed the future of the brand. The rift that formed during that time only recently has been healed, but it still ultimately played a role in not just Lonzo leaving Big Baller Brand but LaMelo as well, the latter recently signing with Puma.
Many have wondered what LaVar’s reaction to his sons departing the brand would be, given his statements in the past about being “with us or against us” in regards to Big Baller Brand. However, in the first episode of season six of “Ball in the Family,” a more understanding version of LaVar discusses his mentality change.
“When you talk to me, you know we’re fathers first. My mentality of ‘If you ain’t coming with the Big Baller Brand, eff ya’ll. You ain’t got no loyalty,’ that ain’t the approach. I took your approach kind of like ‘Let me be a father first’ and not disowning them because you saying you don’t want this…Sometimes I sit back and reevaluate things.”
LaVar’s epiphany likely was a forced one as he realized his sons were leaving the brand with or without his approval, but it’s still nice to see him change his thoughts. It also likely came after seeing the numbers that his family could draw as LaMelo reportedly signed a $100 million deal with Puma while Lonzo would likely command a deal in a similar range.
As LaVar noted in the past, though, Lonzo and LaMelo leaving the brand doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Big Baller Brand. The company can still stay afloat in the background and could be an option for his sons in the future, should they look to return and revive the company in the future.
For now, though, it’s hard to say no to tens and hundreds of millions of dollars available, even for LaVar.
