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All Sports Everything: Dishing What's Relevant Across The Board

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Peek Into Chris Paul’s Sneaker Room

March 27, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment
photo via @jada_ap

photo via @jada_ap

Jada Paul, Chris Paul’s wife, was on Instagram straight flexin’ recently, showing off her husband’s ridiculously massive sneaker collection, and it’s a sneakerhead’s dream.  CP3′s wall to wall collection is so large, a customized walk-in closet was insufficient.  Instead, Paul transformed an entire bedroom in the couple’s home into the ultimate walk-in closet, which they named, “the museum.” Keep in mind, what you see here is just a snapshot or “portion” of the Jordan Brand endorser’s collection.  We haven’t seen one hard bottom or non-Nike shoe, so no telling how much footwear the fashionable Paul truly owns.

But as enviable of a closet or room this is, I’m sure many athletes, especially basketball players, have rooms that rival Paul’s.  Playing for a brand under the Nike umbrella unlocks access to every colorway or edition in Nike’s entire stock — past, present, and future.

It must be nice, right?

-@sdotrenee

 

Filed Under: Fashion, Featured, NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: Brand Jordan, Chris Paul, Chris Paul's Sneaker Closet, CP3, LA Clippers, Nike, Sneakerheads, Sneakers

FRESH: LEBRON X LOW, KOBE 8 SYSTEM, and KD V get Easter makeovers

March 13, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment
nike-easter-lebron-james-kevin-durant-kobe-bryant

Photo via Nike.com

These are dope.

Earlier this week, Nike Basketball unveiled its Easter inspired sneaker designs for its trio of signature kicks, LEBRON X LOW, KOBE 8 SYSTEM, and KD V.  The designs are a play on the youthful tradition of dying and decorating Easter eggs.  Both the KD V and LEBRON X LOW include a soft pastel colorway, while the KOBE 8s have a bolder dip-dyed or color-blocking treatment.

Read on to see what else Nike had to say about each design.

KD_V_Easter_detail

KD V (photo via nike.com)

 

The KD V features soft blue-green tones and playful paint patterns on the Swoosh, tongue and visible Max Air unit in the heel.  The KD V, Kevin Durant’s most technically advanced shoe to date, combines Nike Zoom cushioning in the forefoot and Nike Air in the heel, along with a Hyperfuse upper and dynamic heel support.

 

 

KOBE_8_SYSTEM_Easter_detail

KOBE 8 SYSTEM (photo via nike.com)

 

The vivid color-blocking of the KOBE 8 SYSTEM overlays egg-painting technique on Kobe’s signature snakeskin pattern throughout the upper. Innovative Nike Engineered Mesh enables incredible use of color, which is fully leveraged in this edition.  Designed as an extension of Kobe’s foot for his quickness and precision, the KOBE 8 SYSTEM incorporates Nike Engineered Mesh for the first time in a basketball shoe. This upper construction provides a dynamic, ultra-lightweight fit while acting as a canvas for provocative graphic design.

 

LEBRON_X_LOW_Easter_detail

LEBRON X LOW (picture via nike.com)

 

The LEBRON X LOW, LeBron James’s new low-cut signature shoe, continues the celebration of his 10-year partnership with Nike Basketball. The low version debuts in this special colorway, with mint as the base color of the shoe and a graphic collar-lining in Easter-egg hues.  The LEBRON X LOW features a basketball-specific Max Air 360 unit that provides maximum impact protection and a smooth ride. Hyperfuse construction with Flywire technology delivers dynamic containment for optimal performance. The low-cut upper offers lightweight comfort and free range of motion.

 

LeBron James will have a chance to debut these holiday themed sneakers on Easter Sunday, March 31, when the Miami Heat take on the San Antonio Spurs.  Meanwhile, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant may lace their kicks up a day earlier when they take on the Sacramento Kings and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively.

With Spring approaching, adding a pop of color is a fresh and hassle-free way to give new life to the classic look of jeans and a t-shirt. If you’re interested in copping any of these signature sneakers, they’re available in select retailers and Nike.com starting March 29.

Are you feeling them?

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Fashion, Featured, NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: Easter Sneakers, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, NBA, Nike, Sneakers

ASE’s Picks of the Week: Crumbling Yankees, Richard Sherman’s Pathetic Ploy, and Nike’s New Ad

March 8, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

 

Photo via Grantland

Photo via Grantland

 

Traditionally, I don’t turn my full attention toward the New York Yankees until the NBA has awarded its newest champion.  But recently, it’s been difficult to ignore the franchise’s morbid spring training reports — injuries on top of injuries, aging players, free agency distractions. It’s just all bad, and also enough for me to break my own rule. Since I’m listening and am officially not looking forward to the upcoming season, I decided to torture myself further by reading Grantland’s peice, “The End of the Yankees’ Evil Empire”.   Whether you love or hate the Yankees, it’s worth your time because it’s a thorough take on the Yankees of the past, present, and future. Yankees fans, read it because it’ll help you face reality.  If you’re still in glass half full mode, do yourself a favor and lower your expectations. Trust me on this one. And Yankees haters, you should read it because I have no doubt you’ll find pleasure in reading about the impending demise of a dynasty.

Last month, a franchise synonymous with winning scored another victory. The New York Yankees won a court ruling against a company that had attempted to register the phrase “Baseballs Evil Empire.” The Yankees may not have appreciated it when Red Sox president Larry Lucchino first used the term to describe them in 2002, but if anyone was going to make money off the phrase, damn it, it was going to be them. Even if it means, as written in the judges’ decision, “The record shows that there is only one Evil Empire in baseball and it is the New York Yankees.”

Defending your brand is Business 101, but in this case, I’m not sure the Yankees should be so quick to embrace the trademark. It’s not simply that the Evil Empire was, you know, evil; I think the Yankees made their peace with that a long time ago. Maybe the Steinbrenner family made the mistake of watching the Star Wars saga in numerical order, and gave up after Episode III — and let’s be honest, most of us would have done the same thing — but if they did, they would have missed the fact that (spoiler alert) the Evil Empire lost in the end.

 

Read More:  http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9025135/the-evil-empire-new-york-yankees-to-fall

 

Photo via Getty Images

Photo via Getty Images

Whether you’re Team Sherman or Team Bayless, it doesn’t matter.  There are absolutely no redeeming qualities about what took place during the exchange between Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and ESPN First Take host Skip Bayless.  None.  They both have a reputation for being sensationalist, behavior that I find desperate and pathetic.  I’ve never been a fan of tearing people down to prop yourself up, and that’s exactly what both Bayless and Sherman are known to do — from Sherman’s twitter beef with Darrelle Revis, to Bayless’s emasculating nickname for Chris Bosh. Neither of them deserve a pass or praise.

The person that came out of this whole thing looking like a don was Skip’s co-host, Stephen A. Smith.  As Sherman berated Bayless with insults, Smith was surprisingly speechless; proving he is capable of existing on a level other than 10. Who knew?!!

 

Photo via Dime Mag

Photo via Dime Mag

 

In the States, Nike is known for some of the greatest commercials ever.  And based on the ad below, it seems their greatness transcends continents.  But, of course it does. You don’t become a dominant brand like Nike by lacking consistency.  Check out the brilliant spot about a young aspiring Asian hoopstar imagining what success looks like.  The spot, which features Kobe Bryant, Yi Jianlian, and a Kendrick Lamar track, will air in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan.

 

 

Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think about these stories. I want to hear from you!

-@sdotrenee

 

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: Darrelle Revis, ESPN First Take, Kobe Bryant, New York Yankees, Nike, Seattle Seahawks, Skip Bayless, Yankee

Leon Sandcastle vs Johnny Kilroy: Who Did It Better?

February 4, 2013 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment
Kilroy vs Sandcastle

Images via LarryBrownSports.com and BallIsLife.com

Did you know before Deion Sanders posed as Leon Sandcastle, Michael Jordan’s alias, Johnny Kilroy, existed?  In an effort to further the Jordan brand following his 1993 retirement, Nike took the clever approach of developing the fictional character, Johnny Kilroy.   Although, in reality, MJ traded his rubber soles in for cleats to be worn on the baseball diamond, Nike planted the idea that he wasn’t truly finished with the game of basketball.  Instead, he faked his retirement and continued playing as Kilroy. The spot featured Steve Martin as a lead investigative reporter who was determined to expose the truth.  And in the end, with the help of Alonzo Mourning and Marv Albert, Steve Martin concluded that the Kilroy’s uncanny physical resemblance and athletic abilities, to that of Jordan’s, confirmed his suspicions. Johnny Kilroy was in fact a disguised Michael Jordan.

Watch the Johnny Kilroy spot below and compare it to the Deion Sanders version which aired during last night’s Super Bowl.

 

 

Although the NFL Network borrowed this idea from Nike, it’s still a great ad.  Twenty years ago, Nike didn’t have the benefit of social media to truly blow this idea out, but the NFL Network does and I expect them to fully capitalize.

Immediately following the debut of the spot, Leon Sandcastle began tweeting from his official account.  Less than 12 hours later and Sandcastle already has over 15K followers, as well as an Instagram account with over 600 followers.  Can you say winning?

I’m very interested in seeing how they continue to scale this idea and keep the momentum going as we approach the NFL Draft.  I’m sure the NFL and the NFL Network don’t want to steer too much attention away from real draft prospects and their big moment, but while we have some down time, it’ll be fun to follow the antics of Sandcastle.

There are only a handful of former greats who are relevant, cocky, and bold enough to pull off a staged comeback while using a false identity, and Primetime is one of those guys. Nicely done, NFL Network.

What did you think of Leon Sandcastle? And after seeing the original ad with Michael Jordan as Johnny Kilroy, does that change how you feel about Deion’s ad?

- @sdotrenee

Filed Under: Advertising, Featured, NBA, NFL, Pro Sports, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Deion Sanders, Johnny Kilroy, Leon Sandcastle, Michael Jordan, NBA, NFL, NFL Network, Nike, Sports Marketing, Super Bowl 47, Super Bowl Ad

#ThrowbackThursday: Retro Ewings

August 30, 2012 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via Instagram

Allow me to reintroduce the 33 HIs aka Patrick Ewing’s signature basketball shoe. (For those of y’all not in the know.)

There have been rumblings for years, and back in February rumors really started percolating with regard to Patrick Ewing’s signature sneaker making a comeback.  And now it appears these rumors have evolved into truth.  Ewing Athletics is officially back.  According to ESPN, sneaker heads or Ewing/NY Knicks nostalgists who simply want that old thing back, can have it for $100.  Starting tomorrow, 8/31, retro pairs of 33 HI will be available in six NYC area stores. In mid-September, the relaunch goes nationwide.

In honor of this news, this week’s #ThrowbackThursday post is dedicated to No. 33 and his signature shoe.

When Ewing dropped his signature sneaker back in the early 90s, I was ecstatic.  By then, Michael Jordan had been softly killing the signature basketball shoe game.  Between Mars Blackmon and Gatorade’s “Be Like Mike” campaign, MJ was laying down the bricks to the empire, evidenced by the Air Jordan footwear craze in the streets.  I, however, a die hard New York Knicks fan, refused to dip into my allowance and purchase Jordan brand anything.  So, the release of Ewing sneakers allowed me to finally jump aboard the signature basketball shoe trend without selling out.

Yep.  These are the ones.

When Ewings were released, I was heavily into my hat to the back, pants down real low tomboy phase.  But when it came to sneakers, I usually kept it simple, yet fresh, opting for a pair of white fifty-four elevens.  After all, my closet was full of skittle colored jeans and striped shirts.  I had to show restraint somewhere, and concluded white kicks complemented each outfit perfectly, no matter the color.  When it came to purchasing a pair of Ewings, the same rules applied.  I passed on the more interesting colorways and chose the white joints with Ewing’s signature scribbled on the side in easy to miss grey.  The orange basketball, however, defined the hotness for me.  I wore my size fours with pride; the obnoxiously large hanging tag too.  It wasn’t only a way for me to rep Ewing and the Knicks, but subconsciously, I also fed the rebel in me, while sticking it to the man –Michael Jordan and Nike’s massive indomitable machine.  To this day I remain a Jordan brand holdout.  I guess what they say about old habits dying young is true, but I digress…

From 2K Sports to Jack McCallum (great read, by the way), everyone seems to be cashing in on the 20 year anniversary of the Dream Team.  With the perfect timing of this announcement, there’s no reason Ewing shouldn’t also carve out a piece of that pie for himself.  After all, he was a part of the team.  And since he still hasn’t landed a new coaching gig, he has the time to dedicate to rebuilding his sneaker brand.  It’s just too bad his son, Patrick Ewing Jr. is a bust.  While going retro with the brand is dope, imagine how the brand would’ve been able to re-invent itself with Ewing Jr. as a viable frontman. Oh well.

I don’t plan on reliving my youth and a copping a pair of the Ewing 33 Hi Retros.  The above pic has strongly convinced me otherwise.  But if you have interest, hit up the website for details.

-@sdotrenee

Filed Under: Featured, NBA, Pro Sports, Sports Marketing, Throwback Thursday Tagged With: #ThrowbackThursday, Air Jordan, Dream Team, Michael Jordan, NBA, Nike, NY Knicks, Patrick Ewing, Patrick Ewing Jr., Retro Ewings

US Men and Nike catch World Cup fever early (VIDEO)

March 1, 2012 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via AP

The US Men’s National Team pulled off a seemingly impossible feat, yesterday.  They beat Italy in Italy, 1-0, for the first time. Ever.  It took them 11 attempts and 8o years, but hey who’s counting?

Although it was a meaningless international friendly on paper; fans, players, and analysts are not dismissing this stunning and historic victory for the US.  Despite neither team fielding its best roster, no one thought the US stood a chance against a soccer powerhouse like Italy.

The hero?  Clint Dempsey.  He came through in a big way in the 55th minute, something he’s done all season for Fulham.  Not only did Dempsey’s goal make him just the fourth American to score against Italy, but it also helped relieve some of the pressure on Coach Jurgen Klinsman.  With all eyes on him after taking over for Bob Bradley in July, Klinsman can finally exhale.                

Here are highlights from the match.  Forward to the 2:10 mark to see Jozy Altidore set Dempsey up with the game-winning goal.

 

In other World Cup news, Nike recently released a new spot, “Brazil vs Brazil”.  The ad stars Neymar and Pato facing off against themselves as all of Brazil nervously watches along. The spot further alludes to Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014.  It also implies the World Cup is Brazil’s to lose as they don’t have any competitors capable of defeating them on their homeland.  It’s a bold claim, but Nike wouldn’t be Nike if it didn’t notoriously deliver chest-beating statements.

 

 

- S. Renee

 

 

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Filed Under: Advertising, Featured, Media, Pro Sports, Soccer, Sponsorship, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Brazil, Clint Dempsey, Italy, Jozy Altidore, Nike, Sports Marketing, United States, US beats Italy, US Men's National Team, USMNT, World Cup

Penny Hardaway Chats Injuries, Shaq, Lil’ Penny and More!

January 20, 2012 by Shana Renee 2 Comments

Photo via SLAM

When Brandon Roy announced his retirement at the start of the season, the first person that came to mind was Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway.  Before B. Roy let injuries get the best of him, there was Hardaway.

When he stepped on the NBA scene in 1993 and joined forces with Shaquille O’Neal in Orlando, his impact was immediately felt.  With him running the point with such speed, athleticism, and explosiveness, and Shaq holding down the middle, the duo wasted no time putting the young franchise on the map.  The Magic made its first playoff appearance in Hardaway’s rookie season.

The entire country, including Madison Ave., was enamored with the babyfaced Hardaway.  This was proven by Nike’s multimillion dollar marketing campaign created to support Hardaway’s signature shoe collection.  Nike entertained his legion of fans in multiple groundbreaking, hilariously funny, and highly anticipated ads starring Chris Rock as the voice of Lil’ Penny.

Hardaway rode the wave of success until he suffered injury after injury.  Following six surgeries, stints in Phoenix, New York and a short rendezvous with the Miami Heat, Hardaway called it quits in 2007.  But by then, Hardaway’s legacy had already been altered.  When discussing him, fans will always ask the question, what if injures never got the best of him? Where would he rank among the NBA’s greatest?

We’ll never know the answer to that, but thanks to SLAM and Khalid Salaam, we do gain insight into how things fell apart for the All-Star.  The two discuss how Hardaway landed in Orlando, how it felt to be at the top of his game, only to have injuries force him to face the unknown, and the support he received from players around the league.

Here’s what Hardaway had to say in this rare interview:

On the success of his signature shoe…

SLAM: On the list of all-time great signature shoe lines, your collection is often cited behind Jordan’s as No. 2. How does that feel?

Penny Hardaway: It feels great. It’s an honor that people still care so much about those sneakers. When the retro phase started a few years back, they blew up and they just stayed that way. Everybody hopes to get their own shoe, and when it came out years ago, I was shocked that the design looked so good. I think it’s great that the shoe still matters.

On those classic commercials…

SLAM: The shoes are classic, but so are the commercials. What do you remember about them?

PH: They were incredible. I’m quiet, and Lil Penny was the complete opposite. When I first heard about it, I thought it was the perfect match. I thought it would be funny, but I didn’t know it would be that much of a hit. I didn’t know it would be that big of a deal. When we started making them, it was a thing where I wanted to make them all the time.

On teaming up with Shaq…

SLAM: The story is almost a legend now, but can you reiterate how you got to Orlando in the first place? You weren’t the team’s first choice, right?

PH: Right. I was in the movie Blue Chips with Shaq, and the Magic wanted to bring me in for a workout. Before even shooting the movie, they brought me in. Once we started filming, Shaq and I kinda clicked and it was Shaq who said to the Magic execs, “Hey you need to bring this guy in for another look.” We had real good chemistry. So I came in for another workout, and they decided on me instead of Chris Webber.

On the start of his injuries…

SLAM: And then the injuries started, right?

PH: First off, to this day, I don’t think people know how many I had altogether. I had six knee surgeries, two in Orlando and four in Phoenix. Two got done at the same time. I was one of the first guys to get microfracture surgery. And I didn’t handle the recovery well. It wasn’t even heard of in the NBA yet. It took away my legs, my athleticism. They were left knee injuries, and it would be like, OK, I’d have the surgery and wait like five or six weeks and come back and then a week or two later, it wouldn’t feel right. I tried to just force it. We’d go back in to get a MRI and it was torn again, and I was like, C’mon man, this isn’t right. It was crazy.

Read the complete interview here.

- S. Renee

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, NBA, Pro Sports, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Brandon Roy, Lil' Penny, Nike, Penny Hardaway, Shaquille O'Neal, Slam Magazine

Nike x Amar’e Stoudemire x French Montana = Fire!

December 21, 2011 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo via Nike.com

Does Nike ever make a bad spot?  Ever?  Damn.  Typically when I post ads, I include some type of insightful commentary summarizing the concept.  But the latest and final spot for Nike’s Always On campaign, featuring Amar’e Stoudemire rocking Nike gear from head to toe, speaks for itself.

Watching STAT move through these NYC streets to an exclusive French Montana track, juxtaposed against black and white shots and the underground scene of NYC is so dope. It has me extra hype for the start of the 2011-2012 season.  The only thing that would’ve made this hotter is having Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler flank either side of Stoudemire.  Now that would’ve been perfection.

NYC standup!

 

- S. Renee

Video via SLAM

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Filed Under: Advertising, Fashion, Featured, Media, NBA, Pro Sports, Sponsorship, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Amare Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, French Montana, New York City, New York Knick, Nike, STAT, Tyson Chandler

NBA Lockout News Boosts Stock Market! Which Brands Benefited?

December 1, 2011 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Forbes recently shared a list of five publicly traded companies that have seen an increase in its stock since the NBA players and owners reached an agreement to end the lockout: Nike, Foot Locker, MSG, Under Armour, and Walt Disney. The article does include one caveat, however. Considering the NBA announcement came one day after Black Friday, they’re unable to determine how much of the increase was attributed to the most popular shopping day of the year versus fans’ excitement about the news. Since Forbes was unable to divide the pie, just keep that caveat in the back of your mind as you receive the information presented.

Nike (NYSE: NKE): On Monday, Nike’s stock shot up 5% which is close to its 52-week high. While Nike’s brand is virtually indestructible, it too would’ve suffered if the 2011-2012 NBA season was cancelled. Basketball fans’ purchasing behavior is largely influenced on seeing their favorite athletes run up and down the court in a game. Nike can pay millions of dollars to pay for Basketball Never Stops or Jordan Brand Love the Game ads, but the truth is, the best form of promotion comes from watching LeBron James’ swoosh flash by as he soars in the air and slams it down!

Foot Locker (NYSE: FL): Ok, so if Nike’s stock was up that means that retailers also had to benefit. Foot Locker’s stock rose 9%. The timing of David Stern’s announcement and Black Friday, were practically a dream come true for Foot Locker and other sport apparel retailers.

Madison Square Garden (NYSE: MSG): Although the Knicks haven’t won a playoff game in a minute, their owner, James Dolan never loses. As Forbes pointed out a while back, the Knicks are one of two NBA teams that ranked in the top 50 most valuable teams in the world. So, it’s only right that MSG would see a spike in its stock after the two sides reached an agreement.

Under Armour (NYSE: UA): On Monday, Under Armour was up 5.3% which I’m sure has lots to do with the Are You From Here spots featuring Brandon Jennings, Derrick Williams, and Kemba Walker that have been on heavy rotation. The same rules for Nike also apply here, with a season weeks away, basketball fans suddenly are in the market for some fresh new kicks.

Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS): Remember, Mickey is the owner of ABC and ESPN. And Christmas Day, which also happens to be opening day, ABC and ESPN will air four of the five games. In other words, Disney will profit from lots of ad dollars (ahem Nike and Under Armour) considering millions of people will be tuned into one of those channels from 2:30pm to the early morning of Dec. 26 and throughout the entire season which will extend into late June.

What’s interesting about these five companies listed is this, while it doesn’t include any dark horses, there is definitely a money trail to be followed. It’s as simple as the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game. As long as people are buying Nike’s and Under Armour, Foot Locker should continue to do well, and vice versa. Additionally, Walt Disney will continue to do well as long as Nike and Under Armour buy airtime on ESPN and ABC. And of course, the Knicks will have nationally televised games that air on Walt Disney owned networks. And this is how owners get richer off the BRI pie they fought so hard to covet. ESPN/ABC pays the NBA an over $400 million annual rights fee; which is then distributed among the owners aka James Dolan aka MSG. Boom.

For more details, click here.

- S. Renee

Filed Under: NBA, Pro Sports Tagged With: ABC, Brandon Jennings, ESPN, Footlocker, Forbes Magazine, Madison Square Garden, National Basketball Association, NBA, NBA Lockout, Nike, NYSE, Stock Market, Under Armour, Walt Disney

Nike’s Basketball Never Stops Commerical w/ LeBron, Durant, J. Cole, and more!

October 30, 2011 by Shana Renee Leave a Comment

Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

“I thought I told you that we won’t stop. I thought I told you that we won’t stop.” – Diddy

That’s the message delivered in Nike Basketball’s 2011 ad campaign, Basketball Never Stops. Even through a league sanctioned lockout, the undying love and passion from hoopsters of all ages perseveres; ultimately keeping the game alive.

Much like Jordan Brand’s Love the Game spot, which I personally prefer, the love for the game has spread internationally. From Harlem to China, basketball is a universal language loved, understood, and accepted by all. Basketball is mightier than one single league or entity, it’s the world’s sport. Well, technically that’s soccer, but you get the point.

Nike wants us to believe that fans don’t have to suffer because of the NBA’s work stoppage. We have options: high school, college, pick up games, all of the above.

The only brand capable of making such a grandiose claim or delivering this type of message to David Stern is Nike. After all, Nike is the world’s most valuable sports brand, according to Forbes. However, the spot would’ve had a more powerful message if the World All-Star Classic exhibition tour hadn’t totally imploded after reports suggested it was a go. Although the six-game, four-continent tour is not affiliated with Nike, a successful tour would’ve worked in tandem with Nike’s efforts to tip the power of balance toward the players. Instead, the false start has the opposite effect causing Nike’s Basketball Never Stops message to get lost in translation as four continents are now disappointed.

The 90 second spot includes appearances from LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki, Amar’e Stoudemire, Sue Bird, and surprise cameos from ?uestlove, RocNation’s J. Cole, and Coach K.

Check it out.

- S. Renee

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Filed Under: Advertising, Featured, Media, NBA, Pro Sports, Sponsorship, Sports Marketing Tagged With: Basketball, Basketball Never Stops, David Stern, Harlem, J. Cole, Kevin Durant, Lebron James, NBA Lockout, Nike, Nike Commercial, Questlove, Sports Business, Sports Marketing, Sue Bird
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