LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, once associated with the Big Baller Brand, are now facing a lawsuit from the brand’s co-founder, Alan Foster.
According to TMZ Sports, Foster is suing LaVar, LaMelo, and Tina Ball, along with Puma. Foster claims he played a role in developing LaMelo’s brand, including the creation of the MB1 shoe name, later used by Puma.
The first sneaker for LaMelo under Puma was named MB.01, a designation Foster argues infringes on copyrights and trademarks he helped establish.
“He [LaMelo] knew that his Big Baller Brand signature shoe was called the ‘MB1’ and that the name was protected by federal trademark,” Foster stated. “Yet, despite his knowledge of all of this, LaMelo willfully and deliberately chose to name the signature shoe he created and designed with PUMA the ‘MB1’ in violation of the LaMelo Trademarks.”
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Foster further alleges that LaVar Ball initiated the creation of a second version of Big Baller Brand to oust him and transfer his trademarks, evading payment.
The damages Foster claims from his dealings with the Ball family exceed $200 million. This legal clash is not the first between Foster and the Ball family; he previously sued LaVar for alleged misuse of company funds, while Lonzo filed a suit against Foster in 2019, accusing him of embezzling over $1.5 million from the family.
The fallout from this lawsuit remains uncertain, but given LaVar Ball’s history, it’s likely he will view it as an opportunity rather than a setback.
