• Loading stock data...
Sunday, February 16, 2025

Jaylen Brown Says He Turned Down $50 Million to Start His Own Shoe Company

  • The Celtic star had been a sneaker free agent for a few years.
  • He previously wore Adidas shoes until the deal expired in 2021.
Sep 24, 2024; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during media day at Auerbach Center.
David Butler II-Imagn Images

It will likely go down as the most expensive pass of Jaylen Brown’s career. 

The Celtics star is launching his own sneaker brand, called 741, which will start selling products Oct. 22. That’s also the first day of the NBA season when Brown, the Finals MVP, starts the team’s title defense against the Knicks. 

Brown “turned down over $50 million in endorsement deals from other major sneaker companies to pursue full ownership and creative control of his own brand,” according to the company’s press release. 

The company’s name comes from the significance of its numbers, according to its website. The seven is for spiritual awakening, wisdom, and understanding; the four is for hard work, stability, and practicality; and the one symbolizes new beginnings, creativity, and independence. Brown has worn No. 7 throughout his career with the Celtics.

Adult sizes for the Rover, Brown’s debut shoe for 741, are available for preorder on the website for $200 (which are comparable with other big brands), while kids sizes are $70. 

The 6-foot-7 wing can afford to leave $50 million on the table because he has one of the richest contracts in the NBA. In 2023, Brown signed a contract extension for five years and $304 million, which was an NBA record until his teammate, Jayson Tatum, topped it this past summer with a five-year deal for $315 million. 

Before starting 741, Brown had been a sneaker free agent since his initial five-year deal with Adidas expired in 2021. The 27-year-old has taken some unique business approaches before. When Brown was drafted third overall in the 2016 draft, he turned professional without an agent and decided to use the players’ union, the National Basketball Players Association, for guidance on negotiating his contract. Given he went on to sign a historic contract, it clearly didn’t hurt him. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung competes in the slam dunk competition during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center

Mac McClung’s Dunk Contest Winnings Eclipse His NBA Guaranteed Salary

The three-time dunk contest champion has played just five career NBA games.
Feb 15, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks in a press conference during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Adam Silver: ‘I’m Empathetic’ With Mavs Fans Angry After Luka Trade

The commissioner played down conspiracy theories about the Luka trade.
Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after a play during the second half of the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The NBA’s Latest Attempt To Solve the All-Star Game Conundrum

A new mini-tournament on a lame-duck network may not solve the problem.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.

Featured Today

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.

Inside the Push for the NHL’s Next Era of International Competition

Players have been clamoring, and the league is all in.
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Medals are carried out on Louis Vuitton trays after the women's volleyball gold medal match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena
February 16, 2025

LVMH’s New Push: World’s Most Powerful Luxury Group Is Coming for Sports

LVMH is making long-term deals—and they’re not done.
Jan 9, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) checks Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the third period at PPG Paints Arena
February 11, 2025

‘Important’ 4 Nations Face-Off Can Be NHL’s All-Star Antidote

“The stars have been lobbying the league for an event like this.”
Brady and Mahomes
February 8, 2025

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist SZA and recording artist Kendrick Lamar perform during halftime Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Nike’s Huge Super Bowl: From Jalen Hurts to Kendrick and Serena

Kendrick Lamar wore Nikes in the halftime show; Serena Williams wore Converse.
January 24, 2025

EA Sports Stumbles: Stock Plummets As Soccer Game Misses the Goal

A downbeat forecast sends shares in the video game developer tumbling.
February 7, 2025

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Still Dropping As Lodging Costs Soar

Prices have fallen by another 20% since Monday amid a local lodging crunch.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Jan 17, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the shoes of Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the American Airlines Center.
January 23, 2025

China’s Anta Is Fastest-Growing Sneaker Brand on StockX

Nike broke off its shoe deal with Kyrie Irving in 2022.
Kristin Juszczyk (left)
January 10, 2025

How Taylor Swift Turbocharged Kristin Juszczyk From Sewing Machine to Major NFL..

Several of the pieces sold out within the first day.
Jun 20, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; Detailed view of Nike Alphafly 3 racing flat at the Nike by Eugene store.
December 19, 2024

‘Stubbornly High’ Inventory Slowing New Nike CEO’s Turnaround Mission

The sportswear giant continues to discount its products heavily.
A line of Black Friday shoppers streams into the Nike Store at Tanger Outlets in Pooler.
November 29, 2024

Sportswear Giants Are Ready for Trump’s Tariffs This Time Around

Retailers cut their exposure to China when Trump imposed tariffs in 2018.