Alan Foster, the cofounder of the Big Baller Brand, has recently filed a lawsuit against LaVar Ball, Tina Ball, LaMelo Ball, and PUMA, alleging that he has been cheated out of hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in California, comes after a fallout between Foster and the Ball family over the BBB business several years ago.
Key Takeaway
Alan Foster, cofounder of the Big Baller Brand, is suing LaVar Ball, Tina Ball, LaMelo Ball, and PUMA for allegedly defrauding him of hundreds of millions of dollars. He claims that he played a significant role in developing LaMelo’s brand, including the creation of the successful MB1 signature shoe. Foster seeks damages exceeding $200 million.
In the lawsuit, Foster claims that he played a crucial role in developing LaMelo Ball’s brand while working at BBB. He states that he came up with the “MB1” line for the Charlotte Hornets point guard when he was just a teenager and filed for multiple trademarks for it. According to Foster, this eventually led to the creation of LaMelo’s successful first signature shoe, the MB1.
However, Foster alleges that in an attempt to sideline him from the company, LaVar Ball created a new version of BBB and tried to transfer Foster’s trademarks to exclude him from the “enormous profits” generated by the brand. Additionally, Foster argues that when LaMelo signed a lucrative shoe contract with PUMA, both the basketball player and the apparel company infringed on his trademarks by creating their own signature shoe, the MB.01.
Foster argues that LaMelo was fully aware of the existence of the LaMelo Trademarks and actively participated in their design. Despite this knowledge, Foster claims that LaMelo deliberately named his PUMA signature shoe the “MB1,” in violation of the LaMelo Trademarks. Foster asserts that the damages he has suffered as a result exceed $200 million.
This is not the first legal battle between Foster and LaVar Ball. Previously, Foster sued LaVar, accusing him of using BBB company funds to support his extravagant lifestyle. Foster also faced a lawsuit from Lonzo Ball, LaVar’s oldest son, who claimed that Foster swindled the Balls out of over $1.5 million.
