Nike interested in Lonzo Ball, just not for $1 billion

UCLA Bruins star Lonzo Ball is set to play in the NBA next season, and while Nike is interested in signing him, they’re not going to match his dad’s $1 billion price tag.

Over the past few months, UCLA Bruins star Lonzo Ball has dominated headlines. Well, actually, most of the headlines have been dominated by his father LaVar Ball, but Lonzo has been a part of those stories as well.

Recently in an interview with USA Today, the NBA draft prospect’s father said that he would want a $1 billion endorsement deal with a company like Nike for all three of his sons, including Lonzo.

“A billion dollars, it has to be there,” Ball said. “That’s our number, a billion, straight out of the gate. And you don’t even have to give it to me all up front. Give us $100 mil over 10 years.”

In a completely different USA Today interview, Nike co-founder Phil Knight admitted that the athletic apparel giant is interested in signing Lonzo, although the $1 billion is a bit steep, even for them.

“If he can get it, get it,” Knight said. “It’s a little steep. He’s an awfully great player. Yeah, we have an interest.”

Lonzo is expected to be a top-five pick in the NBA draft, with him and his father being vocal about their desire for him to play with the Los Angeles Lakers. Lonzo’s two brothers, LaMelo and LiAngelo, are also expected to be future NBA players while both are also expected to enroll at UCLA after high school.

A $1 billion endorsement deal seems pretty crazy, but LaVar has been saying all kinds of stuff to get in the national spotlight over the past couple of months. Don’t expect that to change any time soon.