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Fortune
Fortune
Sydney Lake

He's just Ken: LeBron James becomes first pro male athlete Barbie doll as Mattel bets on adult customers

LeBron James Ken doll (Credit: Photo courtesy Mattel)
  • Mattel debuted its first “Kenbassador” LeBron James on Wednesday. The toy company is betting big on adult customers who collect dolls following the blockbuster Barbie movie two summers ago, leaning into the growing share of revenue at toy companies Mattel and Hasbro coming from customers aged 13 and older.

Ever since the blockbuster Barbie movie premiered two summers ago, there’s been resurgence of interest in and profound nostalgia for the brand. The movie’s underlying message was that anyone is a Barbie—or a Ken. And LeBron James solidified that sentiment this week. 

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