LeBron James, the legendary Los Angeles Lakers forward, has achieved yet another remarkable milestone—this time in the world of toys. Mattel has unveiled a new Ken doll modeled after the NBA superstar, making James the first male professional athlete to receive this honor. Krista Berger, Mattel's senior vice president of Barbie, expressed excitement about the doll's launch, stating it serves to honor LeBron as a role model and cultural icon who inspires the next generation.
The doll is designed to resemble James in his pre-game attire, standing an inch taller than the traditional Ken doll to reflect the athlete's actual height of 6 feet 9 inches. Unlike other athlete-themed dolls, this one does not portray James in his basketball uniform but rather features him in a stylish varsity jacket adorned with an “LJ” emblem, an Ohio patch, and his number 23 on one sleeve. The jacket also prominently displays the phrase “Just a kid from Akron,” a nod to his Ohio roots, alongside the shirt reading “We Are Family,” honoring his philanthropic endeavors.
Interestingly, the doll's release comes amidst financial uncertainty for Mattel, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on goods from China, where a significant portion of the company's production is based. As tariffs rise, Mattel is assessing potential price increases and supply chain adjustments, raising concerns among consumers about future costs.
In a promotional video, LeBron's reaction to seeing the doll was heartfelt and humorous. "Oh, he dope!" he exclaimed, appreciating the likeness, and jokingly noting that the toy should hit the gym. This launch represents a significant step for the 65-year-old Barbie brand, which is committed to diversifying its offerings to better reflect various professions, body types, and backgrounds.
Although Barbie has celebrated female athletes like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka in the past, LeBron James marks a historic inclusion as the first male athlete to be honored in such a way. With a career boasting four NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals, James sees this new title of "Kenbassador" as a reminder of the power of role models, emphasizing that they can inspire confidence and motivate children to pursue their dreams of greatness.
The doll is designed to resemble James in his pre-game attire, standing an inch taller than the traditional Ken doll to reflect the athlete's actual height of 6 feet 9 inches. Unlike other athlete-themed dolls, this one does not portray James in his basketball uniform but rather features him in a stylish varsity jacket adorned with an “LJ” emblem, an Ohio patch, and his number 23 on one sleeve. The jacket also prominently displays the phrase “Just a kid from Akron,” a nod to his Ohio roots, alongside the shirt reading “We Are Family,” honoring his philanthropic endeavors.
Interestingly, the doll's release comes amidst financial uncertainty for Mattel, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s tariffs on goods from China, where a significant portion of the company's production is based. As tariffs rise, Mattel is assessing potential price increases and supply chain adjustments, raising concerns among consumers about future costs.
In a promotional video, LeBron's reaction to seeing the doll was heartfelt and humorous. "Oh, he dope!" he exclaimed, appreciating the likeness, and jokingly noting that the toy should hit the gym. This launch represents a significant step for the 65-year-old Barbie brand, which is committed to diversifying its offerings to better reflect various professions, body types, and backgrounds.
Although Barbie has celebrated female athletes like Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka in the past, LeBron James marks a historic inclusion as the first male athlete to be honored in such a way. With a career boasting four NBA championships and two Olympic gold medals, James sees this new title of "Kenbassador" as a reminder of the power of role models, emphasizing that they can inspire confidence and motivate children to pursue their dreams of greatness.
