Image Courtesy of Mattel
Mattel, the parent of Barbie, announced that LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers star, will become the first professional athlete to have a Ken doll released in his likeness.
Aligned to Ken’s 65th anniversary in 2026, James’ doll marks the first installment of Barbie’s “Kenbassador” series, honoring a range of inspiring men.
The Kenbassador series represents the male counterpart to Barbie’s “Inspiring Women” series, which showcases “historical and present-day role models who paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.”
Those honored with Barbie dolls in recent years range from Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, and Jane Goodall to actress Viola Davis, singer Shania Twain, and tennis star Naomi Osaka. More obscure successful women across the fields of science, business, arts, and sports have also been feted.
In its press release, Mattel said that beyond James’ feats on the basketball court, his Ken doll celebrates his stature as “a cultural curator and trendsetter.” Showcasing his fashion sense, the doll is styled with Beats headphones, sunglasses, a varsity jacket, and a pair of Nike high tops.
The doll also honors James’ community support, with Mattel making a donation to the LeBron James Family Foundation, which supports K-12 and higher education in James' hometown of Akron, Ohio.
Krista Berger, SVP of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, said, “We 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.”
James said in a statement, “As an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.”
Barbie has come out with a few other male dolls, including Donny Osmond (paired with Marie) in 1976, MC Hammer in 1991, and Elvis Presley in 1996. However, the introduction of the Kenbassador series promises to see several other high-achieving males be similarly honored in the coming months.
James’ doll will be available at select Target stores and online at Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Mattel’s website for $75.
The Kenbassador series is expected to particularly appeal to collectors, as the 2023 blockbuster "Barbie" movie has revived interest in Barbie. According to Ipsos' global trends report, nostalgia is one of the top three consumer trends set to dominate in 2025.
Steve Totzke, Mattel’s president and chief commercial officer, told the Los Angeles Times last year that adult collectors can account for up to 25% of sales. He said, “I’m just thrilled that the rest of the industry and society is catching up, because I do believe that play is essential and you should be enjoying toys and joy at all ages.”