News and Society, Recreation and Sports

It’s My Pie In The Sky

by Josiah Samuel Harry

Sometimes, in the pursuit of our BIG dreams—or what I love to call, ridiculously impossible dreams—we often look to others to endorse our dreams. The end result of seeking those endorsements usually come in the form of: “Who do you think you are?” “This has never been done before.” “You’re delusional.” “No one will take you seriously.” “Are you kidding me?” 

Do not feel badly when people who only dream inconsequential dreams frown at you when you talk about your BIG dreams. BIG dreams intimidate small-minded people. And the reason for that, is, your dreams serve as a mirror that remind them about their lack of intestinal fortitude and executional prowess.   

But it does not stop there. Your BIG dreams are also viewed as a threat to other dreamers. But these are not your average dreamers. These dreamers made it to the top of their industries. They are the major brands and influencers. These dreamers set the industry trends and are the model of innovation. Everyone worships at their feet by opening their wallets and purses. 

Here’s the context of where I am headed. Lavar Ball, father of three sons who are basketball phenoms, was recently rejected by Nike, Adidas and Under Amour, as it relates to landing a shoe deal for his eldest son who is expected to be a top-five pick in the National Basketball Association (NBA) upcoming draft. For those of you who follow professional sports, you understand that this is a big deal in that it is unprecedented for a high lottery draft pick not to enter his rookie season without a multimillion-dollar offer or deal from a major sporting apparel and shoe company.

Do not downplay your ability to achieve the impossible. 

The reason Nike, Adidas and Under Amour do not plan to sign Lonzo Ball to a lucrative shoe deal (at least, not immediately) centers on the following. First, these companies do not want to license the Ball’s family Big Baller Brand because they are unsure of the unintended consequences of such an approach. Co-branding with a signee’s company would be an unprecedented move in the history of sports since there has never been an athlete who had just turned pro who came to the negotiating table with his own brand—not even the GOAT, Michael Jordan. FYI, the Jordan Brand was later created by Nike and belongs to Nike. 

Secondly, Lavar Ball’s epoch-making and pioneering step to partner with either Nike, Adidas or Under Amour under the family’s Big Baller Brand, meant that the company that signed, would not only be splitting profits, but would also be setting a precedent that could later undermine their long-term value and profitability.

In those companies’ minds, if they licensed the Big Baller Brand, what would stop other upcoming athletes from creating their own brands and doing the same thing. So, from a business perspective, it made perfect sense for the big three not to open pandora’s box. I guess they thought it would be unwise to feed and nurture an upstart brand that could later turn out to be a major competitor. 

Here’s the takeaway. When you are a pioneer and trailblazer, do not expect the masses to cheer for you. And in this context, the sporting apparel giants have no interest in rooting for an underdog, the Big Baller Brand, whom they believe could one day grow into a dominant alpha. But, from what I have learned about Mr. Ball, he will eventually get one of two things. He will either convince a major apparel brand or investment group to be a co-partner with his family’s company, or he will venture on his own, as he is accustomed to, and set the world on fire by launching the Big Baller Brand Z01s (a name I made up). 

I hope Mr. Ball does the latter simply because he had the audacity to dream a ridiculously impossible dream. It’s his pie in the sky and he does not need anyone’s endorsement. Keep in mind that executives in the taxi and hotel industry also dismissed Uber and Airbnb, which are presently worth a collective $90 billon. So, do not discount what the Big Baller Brand could potentially become. And most importantly, do not downplay your ability to achieve the impossible. 

 

Photo Credit: -http://technology.inquirer.net/files/2016/12/Pie-in-Space-1024×767.jpg-

 

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33 thoughts on “It’s My Pie In The Sky”

  1. Amazing. That was really something. Yes, sometimes people are unconsciously finding mirrors in our dreams. But remember. Dreaming is all about creativity. It is like a bubble. If you judge it and evaluate it it’s going to pop. Make sure you stay in that bubble. Only you can pop it. But others will try to make you do it. You just have to keep floating away. . . .

    Liked by 3 people

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  3. You’ve got a wicked sense of timing. Actually look forward to your posts, very inspirational. I don’t follow professional sports, and I wasn’t sure what was going on with that whole endorsement situation, but you’ve broken it down nicely for newbs like me. I do hope they continue to pursue their ‘ridiculously impossible dream’ as well!

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      1. They say one’s gut feeling is usually correct! Right on. And you’re most welcome. I’m going to go think about what my big impossible goal should be now. Lol.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. I absolutely agree with you. No one takes us serious until we become something great. I watched a 30 seconds to Mars documentary a few years ago and they were in debt up to their eyeballs because of the record company. I wanted them to walk away but they didn’t. Most people don’t realize that the big companies take a majority of the pie and the one who is making them rich only gets a sliver. I hope Mr. Ball blazes a trail for others to follow and I hope people start to get what they truly deserve.

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  8. Dreams are the quantum field of pure potentiality and as Henry David Thoreau once wrote: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

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  9. Short sightedness of big businesses strike again, it’s a shame that long term is never thought of and everything is perceived as a threat. No one likes having the status quo rocked, it’s a shame but in the end progress and new ways of working/ doing business will prevail.

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    1. “Progress and new ways of working/ doing business will prevail.” Absolutely!! What I found interesting is how quickly Kevin Plank, the founder of Under Armour, has assimilated into the corporate cultural practice that puts profit before anything else. It was not too long ago when Nike and Adidas thought the same thing about his company. But now that his company has grown into a global behemoth, he is making the same mistakes as the companies that preceded him.

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  11. Super inspirational here man. Thanks for sharing. I like the part of not expecting anyone to cheer you on… as a matter of fact some entities might actually go well out of their way to try and discourage you. This is why strength of character is perhaps the most important characteristic for anyone who’s dreaming big to have. All this being said, our modern world is better now because we all have more power. If you have a laptop and a social media account, you have access to a ridiculous number of people in theory. As a result, it is easier to go it alone now than it was in the past but still very difficult.

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