LaVar Ball’s Big Baller Brand landed in hot water with the Fresno BBB office regarding dozens of consumer complaints. Photo via Wikipedia user Graham Hodges

Fresno’s Better Business Bureau office had an encounter with another “BBB” brand that netted worldwide attention and even an award.

Back in January, the Better Business Bureau Serving Central California issued a warning to potential customers of the “Big Baller Brand,” founded by LaVar and Tina Ball. The agency had received dozens of complaints that online orders to the company were late or never delivered, leading to an “F” rating for the business, based in Chino Hills.

LaVar Ball is the father of Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Lonzo Ball. He’s known for his outspoken and brash style in establishing the Big Baller Brand of clothing and shoes, some of which retail for as high as $495.

Blair Looney, president and CEO of the local BBB, said his organization’s investigation of the complaints led to a media firestorm. After providing it as an exclusive to celebrity gossip website TMZ, the story was picked up by more than 100 networks, leading to 175,032 social media shares.

“When the news broke that Big Baller Brand received an “F” rating from BBB, our phones blew up,” Looney said. “The coverage was more than anyone expected and we are so proud of the way every major network handled the coverage.”

The BBB even submitted the investigation for consideration of an award at the International BBB Assembly in Canada back in September. It won in the category for “Single Case Investigation,” and the local BBB even won an award in the “Social Media” category, recognizing its #MarketingMonday, #TipTuesday and #WisdomWednesday hashtag campaign.

As for the Big Baller Brand, Looney said LaVar Ball took to badmouthing the local BBB office for a time, but eventually responded to complaints and has been making efforts to show it is fulfilling orders.

“We have helped change the way they do business,” Looney said.

Looney’s BBB office, while located in Fresno, serves nearly a dozen counties stretching from Mono County to San Bernardino County, which puts Big Baller Brand’s headquarters in his jurisdiction.