King James meets Ken in a historic first for Mattel.
LOS ANGELES โ Basketball great LeBron James has become the first professional male athlete to have his likeness depicted in a Ken doll.
Mattel Inc. unveiled the LeBron Ken doll on Wednesday to kick off the toy manufacturerโs โKenbassadorโ series. Last year, nine female athlete Barbies, including tennis star Venus Williams, were introduced.
โAs a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me whatโs possible through hard work and dedication,โ James said. โNow, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. Thatโs why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. Itโs an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.โ
The LeBron doll wears sunglasses, headphones and an unzipped blue-and-white lettermanโs jacket with โLJโ on the left breast, his number 23 on the right sleeve and Ohio and crown patches on the other. His first name is on the back with โJust a kid from Akronโ underneath. His T-shirt says โWe Are Family,โ a nod to the LeBron James Family Foundation. His blue shoes, of course, are Nikes.
The doll costs $75 and goes on sale Monday.
In an Associated Press-produced video of James seeing the doll for the first time, the โKingโ expressed his approval, repeatedly calling the doll โdope,โ another word for โcool.โ
While looking it over, he put an โI Promiseโ wristband on the dollโs wrist and adjusted the strap on its fanny pack.
โOK, now we ready,โ James said. โI mean, he might need to do a little lifting. Legs look a little skinny. Little fraily little fellow. Nah, thatโs dope.โ
Mattel senior vice president Krista Berger noted that Ken is Barbieโs longtime best friend and supporter.
โWe are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential,โ Berger said.
