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NBA MVP Jaylen Brown turned down $50 million in endorsement deals for full ownership and creative control of his own brand

Posted on by Vanessa
NBA MVP Jaylen Brown turned down million in endorsement deals for full ownership and creative control of his own brand

If Duality had an avatar, it would be NBA champion Jaylen Brown.

From his passion for STEM to founding a nonprofit dedicated to closing the Black wealth gap, Brown has proven time and time again that no box is big enough to contain him.

As if winning the 2024 NBA Championship and Finals MVP weren't enough, the 27-year-old added another achievement to his resume by launching his first performance brand, 741.

Brown's connection to the number 741 is profound, with each digit carrying personal and spiritual meaning, driven by his affinity for numbers and frequencies. The numbers 7, 4 and 1 appeared throughout his journey, symbolizing spiritual growth, hustle, creativity and new beginnings, according to the brand's official website. For Brown, these numbers align with his leap of faith to break away from the industry and do things on his own terms.

“741 is more than just a sneaker brand,” Brown said in a press release. “It’s a statement about independence, creativity and personal responsibility.”

Staying true to yourself is exactly what Brown did with his brand creation. It aims to be a creative solution for those looking for alternatives to traditional advertising contracts. The self-funded venture also involves a grassroots approach to design and production, and notably turning down $50 million offers from better-known brands for sneaker deals in order to pursue his desires and gain complete control of his own brand.

“Understanding ownership and value is what is important for the next generation of athletes. It’s time to think differently and be different… come up with new ideas. “It’s time to create more value for everyone involved, from athletes to consumers to employees and the communities that support them,” said the Celtics forward.

He continued: “I put everything into designing 741 and it was just as challenging and rewarding as anything I did on the pitch.”

Part of Brown's decision to venture into sneaker ownership came from the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant. Before his untimely death, Bryant was said to have developed his own independent sneaker line, and his journey helped ignite in Brown a fearlessness to exceed people's expectations of him.

The launch of 741 follows Brown signing one of the largest NBA contracts in history. According to Spotrac, Brown signed a five-year, $285.3 million, fully guaranteed contract with the Boston Celtics. His contract calls for an average annual salary of around $57 million. In the 2024-25 season, Brown is expected to earn a base salary of approximately $49.2 million, which is also his cap hit and dead cap value for that year.

What's next for Brown and 741? He plans to recruit other athletes to the brand, giving them more control over signature sneak designs and curating products that meet their needs and specific style choices.

Staying true to his passion for advancing communities, Brown is committed to keeping the cost of its shoes low for children's plus sizes – around 40% or less than the competition.

“I want 741 to be a brand that gives back and ensures that kids from all walks of life can have shoes they love without the crazy prices,” Brown explained.

With 741, Brown strives to redefine sports with innovative, performance-focused products while empowering athletes to shape their future on their own terms. By offering affordable, high-performance equipment and creating career opportunities for underserved communities, 741 makes innovation and impact accessible to all.

The futuristic design shoe features exceptional shock absorption, exclusive translucent rubber for better grip and long-lasting, high-elastic yarns that provide elasticity and rebound, reinforced with high-performance molded thermoplastic for added support and durability. Pre-orders are currently available via the 741 website and products will go on sale online and at select retailers on October 22, 2024.

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