New Orleans Pelicans Profit As Zion Williamson Finds His Voice

Zion Williamson will soon be the face of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise. His marketability alone will bring new fans to the team.

Part of being such a sought after endorser is being able to connect with the public at large. The New Orleans Pelicans learned quick that Zion Williamson is capable of doing so with his smile alone, then adds the dunks. Now he is beginning to find his voice as he is more allowed to express himself.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a couple of players, JJ Redick and Josh Hart, who are shaping their own narratives using podcasts. Their endorsements of the franchise’s new culture will be heard. Podcasting is likely the most profitable future career market for both players as well.

Zion Williamson is a bigger marketing star than either Redick or Hart before playing an NBA game. Jrue Holiday is still rounding into his final star form but probably would not be enticing to many brands as a national endorser, even if he made an All-NBA team. Beating out Rudy Gobert for Defensive Player of the Year honors just does not move the needle for most brands.

The New Orleans Pelicans will have learned plenty of lessons from the Anthony Davis era. However, Zion is a different kind of star personality. Just by following the David Griffin plan from before the NBA Draft lottery would make the Big Easy the best place for Zion to blossom.

Zion Williamson is also the future face of the NBA2K series, as captured by over 120 cameras. Attention to detail in the packaging of Zion will be crucial. Prime Sports has already started legal action against Williamson. Still, he was undeterred and signed an endorsement contract with 2k Sports soon after inking his Brand Jordan shoe deal.

Williamson is quoted on Bleacher Report saying:

"“I’ve played NBA 2K my entire life and it’s an honor to officially join Team 2K. I’ve dreamed of being a part of the game and joining this global phenomenon, where people around the world can play as me. I’m ready to put my imprint on basketball culture and be a part of the team that represents what’s next in the sport.”"

Jason Argent, Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations at NBA 2K also released a quote concerning the Zion endorsement, saying:

"“Zion represents the best of the NBA’s up and coming talent and we are excited to welcome him to Team 2K. For more than 20 years, NBA 2K has identified and worked with the best basketball talent in the world. It’s been incredible to witness what Zion can do on the court and we’re excited to grow with him throughout his career.”"

https://twitter.com/NBA2K/status/1156219859920834562

The New Orleans Pelicans will have a global presence just by Zion gracing the covers of video games. Zion has a multi-year contract, commercials, and hyped dunk trailers being filmed. Anthony Davis scored a featured role on the 2K twitter account and the cover, but most hoops gamers will opt for the Dwayne Wade Legend edition of the game.

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That serves as just one example that Zion Williamson is a few extra magnitudes of marketable when compared to Davis. Zion’s shoe deal already tops Davis’ Nike endorsement.

Official team jerseys will be sold, along with video games and sneakers that are likely issued in a New Orleans Pelicans colorway. The team would make millions more to invest should this year’s squad reaches its full potential.

Zion believes that it is a realistic goal, in time. David Griffin has said this team needs time to grow organically. What comes next for the Pelicans is largely up to Zion’s development.

The fan base and Zion are equally excited to see what this fresh version of the New Orleans Pelicans can accomplish. Zion told Complex:

"“Me being confident in my teammates, I would say I think the ceiling is [a] championship. But I have to be realistic about this. I have high expectations for us, but you gotta see how we’re gonna work. I think we are going to work, but it does take time to adjust to each player — knowing what they like to do, finding out their tendencies. So I think the quicker we find out those things, I think we have a very high ceiling.”"

Williamson also said he thinks Lonzo Ball could be the best two-way point guard in the league. Though Zion Williamson is finding his voice as a professional, finding his true playing weight will be more difficult. Per David Griffin’s interview with The Athletic’s Jeff Duncan:

"“Yeah, I don’t know that we can determine a weight yet. Zion’s still growing. One of the things that’s lost in this whole process is that, like Jaxson Hayes, Zion is still getting taller. We’re not exactly sure what he’ll look like in the end. So a playing weight is not what you look for. What you look for is to be in top condition, to have the kind of core strength and stability that you need to control all of the incredible torque that his athleticism can generate…. So what you have to do with him is do everything you can from a core and stability standpoint to give him more ability to control what he already has in terms of strength and speed.”"

The Zion Williamson marketing weight is tremendous. Along with his shoe deal and NBA contract, Williamson has already eclipsed $100 million in personal net worth value. He is worth even more to the New Orleans Pelicans which is why some are already speculating on his second and third contracts.

Pelicans fans need not worry. Williamson will be the featured attraction at the Smoothie King Center for the better part of the next decade. That gives the team plenty of time to build trust and reasons for Willaimson to keep playing in the Crescent City.

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That will give Zion at least five years to work on new ways to reiterate the most important quote from that Complex Magazine interview.

"“Growing up, I loved what Kobe did and Dirk did… My intentions are to stay with the Pelicans my whole career.”"

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