One of the biggest NBA stars, Jaylen Brown, has not been sponsored by a sportswear brand since his deal with adidas ended in 2021. Since then, we’ve seen him wear Nike’s with covered-up logos, and more recently, he’s been spotted wearing a mystery sneaker that many have speculated was his independent brand. Brown has officially unveiled the shoe alongside his new sportswear brand 741.
As reported by Complex, Brown’s team stated that he turned down over $50 million in endorsement deals from other sneaker companies but decided to stay in his lane and maintain ownership and creative control of his brand.
“The understanding of ownership and value is what’s important for the next generation of athletes,” Brown says. "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 name of the brand itself, 741, comes with a profound meaning for Brown, as the numbers 7, 4, and 1 have continually shown up throughout his life. They represent spiritual awakening, hard work, and new beginnings. As for details about the sneaker, the silhouette is known as the Rover, and its debut colorway is Black Moon.
The engineered knit upper of the 741 Rover comprises abrasion-resistant yarns for high stretch and spring back. Underneath is a nonstretch arch bandage with a dynamic lacing system. The molded external counter features heart seal reinforcement, locking the heel for stability. On the flip side, the internal counter is molded by heavy-duty thermoplastic, providing extra stability with a firm EVA lasting board that distributes pressure underfoot to optimize effectiveness throughout the midsole. The midsole is made from hypergravity critical EVA with engineered flex grooves and shock absorption. A lightweight, translucent rubber outsole with engineered flex grooves provides high traction, abrasion resistance, and torsional flexibility.
Brown also drew inspiration from Kobe Bryant to make his brand, as Kobe was looking into becoming independent before his passing. “Kobe’s journey taught me about being fearless and pushing sports, along with society, to new heights. That’s the mindset I’m bringing to 741."
In addition to men's sizes, the sneaker will also be available in big kids' and is allegedly 40% cheaper than other competitors in big kids' sizing.
Jaylen Brown's new sneaker with 741, the Rover Black Moon edition will be available for preorder on September 25, 2024, via the label's website with select retailers to follow on October 22. Pairs will begin to ship in late November. Available in men's and gradeschool sizing, retail is set at $200 and $70, respectively. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
741 Rover Black Moon
Images via 741
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
