LaMelo, Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball planning to sign with Roc Nation

LaMelo, Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball are planning to sign representation agreements with Jay-Z’s Sports Management company, Roc Nation Sports, according to Jermaine Jackson, LaMelo Ball’s manager.

“This was a family decision,” Jackson told ESPN. “This is now an extended family. They put together a beautiful game plan with Jay-Z. The basketball game is about to change. They are going to create something totally new.”

Roc Nation Sports is an offshoot of the music company founded by Shawn Carter, better known by his stage name, Jay-Z, in 2013. It has since expanded to multiple sports, representing the likes of Kyrie Irving, Markelle Fultz and Spencer Dinwiddie in its basketball division. Raymond Brothers will be the primary agent overseeing the Ball brothers.

“We talked to several agents, but the family had good vibes with Roc Nation,” Jackson told ESPN. “I’ve known Jay-Z since I played for the Knicks, but this is what the kids wanted to do. Jay-Z is a master at what he does. He’s global. It’s power beyond power.

“This is something that they are building from the ground up together. They are brothers and they love each other and that’s how they roll. It’s all love. They don’t separate from each other.”

Roc Nation will be tasked with negotiating marketing opportunities, including LaMelo Ball’s sneaker contract. Jay-Z was named creative director of Puma Basketball in June 2018, but, according to Jackson, the Balls are speaking to several sneaker companies vying for LaMelo’s endorsement.

“He’s still wide open,” Jackson said. “He hasn’t signed with anyone. Everyone is kicking in the door. Melo is open to whatever. With this pandemic going on, we don’t know what things are going to look like.”

LaMelo, one of the front-runners to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, is currently in Chino Hills, California, with his family preparing for his rookie season.

“Right now Melo is focused on the weight room and working on his game training with Lavar. His father is doing a phenomenal job. He already put seven pounds of muscle on him. He’s working out with Lonzo and Gelo trying to get ready for whatever comes next. He’s grown half an inch in the last few months.”