Madness has broken out in Los Angeles to get the Lakers jersey with Luka Doncic’s name and number 77. There are endless queues to be among the first to get the coveted Slovenian point guard’s jersey, who has been involved in one of the most important trades in NBA history.
The combination of Doncic and the Lakers is going to be a goldmine. They have added one of the most high-profile players internationally and the biggest franchise.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ general manager, was not wrong when he spoke at the player’s presentation about shirt sales worldwide. Luka’s jersey was already one of the best-selling in the NBA. Now, the purple and gold jersey will undoubtedly be at the top of the rankings.
It was an incredible business decision. It’s amazing from a business standpoint
Dwyane Wade, former Heat player
Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade spoke about the trade in economic rather than basketball terms. “It was an incredible business decision. It’s amazing from a business standpoint. Luka was sixth in jersey sales in Dallas, Luka now shoots to number one in jersey sales with the Lakers,” he predicted without fear of being wrong.
And he commented on the impact it can have even at the audience level. “We just signed a new TV deal. You have the best international player in Los Angeles, so it’s going to increase viewership, ticket sales… Everyone, Europe, Spain, they’re all coming to Los Angeles,” Wade predicted. In Spain, Movistar+ will broadcast Doncic’s debut with the Lakers and will try to broadcast more games of the Los Angeles team than it had planned.