Lonzo Ball has been signaling a departure from Big Baller Brand since Friday’s ESPN report that LaVar’s friend and brand co-founder Alan Foster allegedly stole $1.5 million from the Lakers guard.
He scrubbed Big Baller Brand content from his Instagram, posted a mockup Nike ad and unfollowed Big Baller Brand accounts. His younger brother, LaMelo, also thanked Lonzo for getting them “out.”
Despite no official announcement from Nike, a Ball brother-to-Nike move looks imminent. And a new video from Lonzo’s close friend and manager Darren Moore (Dmo) further burned that Big Baller Brand bridge.
Moore posted a video to his Instagram story, changing his #geturmerch hashtag to #dumpurmerch. The video showed Moore throwing a pair of Big Baller Brand ZO2 sneakers down a garbage chute.
Lonzo, who owned a 51 percent stake in Big Baller Brand, fired Foster amid the allegations of embezzlement. On top of that, the Lakers had voiced concerns over the quality of Big Baller Brand’s sneakers and if the shoes contributed to Lonzo’s ankle problems.
The Lakers guard’s social media activity had indicated that the move to Nike was coming, but Moore’s post offered another look into the bitterness of this apparent split from Big Baller Brand. Losing both Lonzo and LaMelo would almost certainly mean the end for LaVar’s brand, which wouldn’t be able to market itself without Lonzo and LaMelo’s involvement.
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Monday that the family had discussed folding the company entirely.
