WedOct 23

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Entrepreneur

LaVar Ball

October 23, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

LaVar Christopher Ball was born in Los Angeles, California on October 23, 1967. He is an American businessman and the co-founder and CEO of Big Baller Brand, as well as the founder of the now-defunct Junior Basketball Association (J.B.A.). He is the father of three basketball players: Lonzo Ball, LaMelo Ball, and LiAngelo Ball. Ball attended Canoga Park High School and played basketball and football before going on to play basketball at West Los Angeles College, Washington State, and Cal State Los Angeles. Following a series of audacious statements in the spring of 2017, Ball began making national sports headlines regularly. Come celebrate his special day with us!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

LaVar Christopher Ball

Nickname:

Bravo

Birth date:

October 23, 1967

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

6' 5"

Relationship Status:

Married

Net Worth:

$6 million

Background

LaVar Christopher Ball was born on October 23, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was one of his parents’ five children. In high school, he was a quarterback for his school’s football team and a forward for its basketball team. In his early years, he set a school record by grabbing 316 rebounds. Despite his strong interest in sports, he never considered making a career out of it.

During his college years at West Los Angeles College, Ball studied to become a criminal lawyer and then a U.S. marshal. He was, however, eager to pursue his sporting career. As a result, he continued to play basketball and football throughout his college years. Ball was invited to NFL tryouts and signed with the New York Jets in 1995. After an injury forced him to retire from football, Ball began training to become a personal trainer.

In 2016, Ball founded Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company that made a good profit in its first few months of operation. Big Baller Brand released its first sports shoes in May 2017, priced at $495, which drew a lot of attention. Several major American athletes, including Shaquille O’Neil, criticized the high-priced shoes, while many others supported them. Ball responded by saying that those who couldn’t afford the sneakers weren’t true “Ballers.” According to “The Washington Post,” Ball’s strategy was both smart and shameless. On December 20, 2017, Ball announced that as part of the Big Baller Brand’s full funding, he would assist in the formation of the Junior Basketball Association (J.B.A.).

Career timeline

1995

The Contract with New York Jets

Ball is invited to NFL tryouts and eventually signs with the New York Jets.

2016

The Big Baller Brand is Formed

Ball establishes the Big Baller Brand, a sports apparel company that turns a profit within the first few months of operation.

2017

The Company Launches its First Sports Shoes

Ball's brand, Big Baller Brand, introduces its first sports shoes for $495, attracting a lot of media attention.

2018

The Funds to Lithuanian Basketball Team

Ball finances the Lithuanian basketball team, Vytautas Prienai-Birtonas, to support his sons after they joined the team.

2019

The Appearance on "Black-ish"

Ball appears on the comedy T.V. show "Black-ish" in the episode 'When I Grow Up (to Be a Man).'

2020

The Guest Appearance

Ball is a guest on two episodes of the sports talk show "Skip and Shannon: Undisputed."

Why We Love LaVar Ball

He worked hard to achieve success
Ball has risen to prominence in the basketball world because of his hard work and dedication. He participated in a variety of endeavors and worked hard to become a successful businessman to provide for his family and secure his sons' careers.
He supports his sons' success
Ball has three successful and well-known sons who play professional basketball. He has supported his sons' careers and continues to do so even after they have achieved success.
He participates in charitable activities
Aside from being a successful businessman, Ball volunteers for charitable organizations to give back to the community. He delivered three truckloads of Big Baller Brand water bottles to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to help sort food and raise awareness about the organization's mission to end hunger in Los Angeles County.

5 Surprising Facts

The family’s reality T.V. show
Ball and his family star in their reality T.V. show, "Ball in the Family," which aired on Facebook for six seasons and followed the titular family's day-to-day adventures.
An entire rule was created after him
Due to previous controversies, a rule known as "the LaVar Ball rule" prohibits media from speaking to Ball and his family members during a home game.
He competed in "Lip Sync Battle"
Ball and his son Lonzo competed in "Lip Sync Battle" on February 15, 2018, with Ball winning the episode over his son.
He Appeared on “WWE Raw”
Ball appeared in an episode of the action sports T.V. series "WWE Raw" with his sons.
His son is also a rapper
In addition to being a basketball star, Lonzo Ball, Ball's son, is a rapper who has released two albums in the last few years.

LaVar Ball FAQs

Who is the richest in the Ball family?

Lonzo Ball is the wealthiest of the Ball family, with an estimated net worth of $35 million.

Is LaVar Ball still married?

Yes! Ball is married to Tina Ball, who was a fellow student at California State University, Los Angeles before they married in 1997.

Did Big Baller Brand shutdown?

The website of Ball’s company, Big Baller Brand, was shut down in April 2019 before reopening in December 2020, and it was never clear what would happen to Big Baller Brand in the interim.