LaMelo Ball’s popularity has been unquestioned for multiple years now. The most recognizable face (and hairstyle) of the Ball family, LaMelo has accrued just shy of five million followers on Instagram despite having just turned 18.
While many see that as just an incredible figure, it can also be used by companies or leagues as a marketing tool. As was the case when Ball announced his decision to join the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Illawarra Hawks, The news took off across the globe with even the likes of Barack Obama following the Hawks’ Twitter account.
In an interview with Close Up 360, NBL owner Larry Kestelman revealed just how astronomical the figure was for the amount of media received from Ball’s announcement.
We received, and not to over-exaggerate, that is the actual number that we’ve been given by the external people that track our media. We received $1.4 billion worth of global media around one announcement of LaMelo Ball.
By essentially all reasonable-minded projections, the NBL is set for a record-shattering year in terms of exposure. Not only does Ball bring a huge audience with him but RJ Hampton as well. For likely the first time ever, there will be genuine interest from Americans in NBL contests.
Ball and Hampton will be under an intense light all season but, at least for Ball, it’s not a new pressure. Ball’s fame came at a very young age meaning he has grown up in the spotlight.
It’s creating a potential perfect storm for the league and Ball to use one another and prosper in big ways.
