LeBron James is no stranger to collaborations. It’s been 15 years since he took his talents to South Beach and teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. When he went back to Cleveland, he joined Kyrie Irving and brought in Kevin Love. On the Lakers, he teamed up with Anthony Davis and now Luka Doncic. His next collaboration is one many did not see coming. In a groundbreaking move, James is teaming up with Barbie to create the first-ever athlete Ken doll.
LeBron James Teams Uup With Barbie
On Wednesday, Barbie manufacturer Mattel announced they are teaming up with the LeBron James Family Foundation for a one-of-a-kind collaboration. The four-time NBA champion will be the first athlete to have his own version of the iconic Ken doll. James had a hand in the design of the doll. It features sunglasses, headphones, and an unzipped blue-and-white letterman’s jacket with many of his brands scattered about the clothing. The four-time MVP had this to say about the collaboration in a news release.
“As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication. Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams and show kids they, too, can achieve greatness.”
The doll goes on sale Monday and will be $75. Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger also praised the collaboration.
“We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential.”
Not The First Athlete Collaboration
While this is the first athlete to have a Ken doll, Barbie has celebrated many female athletes before. Last year, WNBA star Sue Bird got a doll during the 65th anniversary of the brand and Summer of Sports campaign. Tennis superstar Venus Williams also had a doll in the collection. James has never been shy about partnering with companies outside of the sports world.
He starred in Space Jam 2 and has also made cameo appearances in other movies. James has starred in The Shop, which has brought on many famous athletes and movie stars to talk about various topics. He has now gotten his own toy with one of the most iconic toys of all time.
Final Thoughts
LeBron James is in the twilight of his career. At age 40, he is still playing at an all-star level, but soon, he will move on to the second part of his career. This likely won’t be the last collaboration the famous athlete does, as he is one of the best-known NBA players of all time.
