If duality had an avatar, it would be NBA champion Jaylen Brown.
From his passion for STEM to launching a nonprofit aimed at addressing the Black wealth gap, Brown has consistently proven that no box is big enough to hold him.
If winning the 2024 NBA championship and Finals MVP wasn’t enough, the 27-year-old has added another accomplishment to his resume by launching his debut performance brand, 741.
Brown’s connection to the number 741 runs deep, with each digit carrying personal and spiritual significance, driven by his affinity for numbers and frequencies. The numbers 7, 4, and 1 have shown up throughout his journey, symbolizing spiritual growth, hustle, creativity, and fresh starts, according to the brand’s official website. For Brown, these numbers align with his leap of faith to break away from the industry mold and do things on his terms.
“741 is more than just a sneaker brand,” Brown said via a press release. “It’s a statement about independence, creativity, and ownership.”
Staying true to himself is just what Brown has done with his brand creation. He wants to be a creative solution for those looking for alternatives to traditional endorsement deals. The self-funded venture also includes a grassroots approach to design and production, and notably, turning down $50 million in offers from more prominent brands for sneaker deals to pursue his desires and have complete control of his own brand.
“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,” the Celtics forward stated.
He continued, “I’ve poured everything into designing 741, and it’s been just as challenging and rewarding as anything I’ve done on the court.”
A part of Brown’s decision to step into sneaker ownership territory came from the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant. Prior to his untimely passing, Bryant was said to be developing his own independent sneaker line, and his journey helped ignite a fearlessness in Brown to go beyond people’s expectations of him.
The launch of 741 comes on the heels of Brown signing one of the largest NBA contracts in history. According to data from Spotrac, Brown signed a five-year, $285.3 million, fully guaranteed contract with the Boston Celtics. His deal comes with an average annual salary of around $57 million. In the 2024-25 season, Brown is set to earn a base salary of approximately $49.2 million, which will also be his cap hit and dead cap value for that year.
What’s next for Brown and 741? He plans to sign other athletes to the brand, offering them more control of signature sneak designs and curating products that meet their needs and specific style choices.
Remaining aligned with his passion for seeing communities advance, Brown is dedicated to setting the cost of his shoes at a low rate for big kid sizes — about 40% below or lower than competitors.
“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,” Brown explained.
Brown aspires 741 to redefine the game with cutting-edge, performance-driven products while empowering athletes to shape their futures according to their own vision. By offering affordable high-performance gear and creating career opportunities for underserved communities, 741 makes innovation and impact accessible to all.
The futuristic design shoe features exceptional shock absorption, exclusive translucent rubber for enhanced grip, and durable, high-stretch yarns that provide resilience and spring back, reinforced with molded heavy-duty thermoplastic for added support and durability. Pre-orders are currently available via the 741 website, and products will go live for sale on Oct. 22, 2024, both online and at select retailers.
