Jaylen Brown has removed himself from endorsement deals by creating his new signature shoe and sneaker company, 741. According to Brown, “741 is more than just a sneaker brand—it’s a statement about independence, creativity and ownership.”
The NBA Finals MVP is one of a crop of star-pro athletes to create a signature line as part of the empowerment trend in sport culture. Brown reported that he turned down over $50 million in endorsement deals from from major sneaker companies to found 741, where he will have full ownership and creative control with products set to go live October 22 online and at select retailers.
With the launch of 741, Brown aims to achieve four goals in the sneaker and apparel industry:
- create technologically advanced, performance-driven products with no compromises in design or functionality;
- introduce a new economic model for endorsed athletes, giving them more ownership and control over their brands;
- ensure accessibility for all households, offering high-performance products at an affordable price;
- committed to providing career opportunities to aspiring professionals from underserved communities, opening doors in all areas of performance and fashion retail.
“The understanding of ownership and value is what’s important for the next generation of athletes. It’s time to think different and be different… create 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 Brown.
Brown also noted that the inspiration for 741 also came from Kobe Bryant, who, before he died in January 2020, was preparing to start an independent sneaker line. “Kobe’s journey taught me about being fearless and pushing sports, along with society, to new heights. That’s the mindset I’m bringing to 741,” stated Brown, noting that the timing was right after signing one of the largest contracts in NBA history.
Jaylen Brown also plans to change endorsement deals by signing athletes directly to 741. This will give athletes “more control over their sneaker designs and allow them to tailor products to their specific needs and styles.” Brown is “committed to providing better financial terms and more creative freedom than traditional sneaker deals, empowering athletes to shape their brands and retain more profits, shifting the energy around how athletes engage with sneaker companies, focusing on true ownership and partnership.”
Over the past two years, Brown reported that he “has worked tirelessly, learning from industry giants and gaining hands-on experience in design while collaborating with Yeezy, resulting in sneakers and apparel that reflect his forward-thinking approach, blending performance and style with an emphasis on quality.”
“I’ve poured everything into designing 741, and it’s been just as challenging and rewarding as anything I’ve done on the court,” said Brown.
Brown has set a low-cost rate for big kid sizes, a price point that is 40 percent or more below competitors “ensuring that families can purchase high-quality, stylish sneakers for their children without financial strain.”
“I want 741 to be a brand that gives back and makes sure kids of all walks of life can have shoes they love, without the crazy price tags,” said Brown.
Aligned with Jaylen Brown’s mission to address the wealth gap, 741is “dedicated to creating pathways for aspiring professionals from underrepresented communities.” By offering exposure and career opportunities across various sectors, including design, engineering, product development, sales, marketing, finance, and operations, Brown is “positioning 741as more than just a performance and apparel company. It serves as a platform for emerging talent to gain valuable experience and contribute to a leading brand, helping to break down barriers and create long-term economic opportunities in industries where diversity has often been lacking.”
Images courtesy 741, NBA
