Battle of the brands

Collector’s Edition WHEN A JEEP GETS STRANDED THEY CALL US. 5 Table of Contents

This issue of array magazine highlights the comparisons of the two biggest sportswear companies ever bringing their history, top athlete, and top selling performance .

Nike, Inc.. OUR STORY

The DNA of a Sportswear giant. The world The story of a German shoe maker and the of and . 6 road to immortality 17 Michael Jabbar Jordan Kareem The story of how an NBA superstar signed The start of a new era in the sportswear with a sportswear giant. industry 9 20 Pegasus Ultra 33 BOOST The next generation in the legendary Luxury comfort and with a durable design Pegasus 14 22 6 ARRAY / JULY + AUGUST 2017 7 Founders Milestones His suggestions fell on deaf years so he Nike kept launching new editions of their himself decided to import from Japan landmark training shoes. They developed and sell them in his local area. He tried to Nike Shox in 2000 which was very well sell his initial stock of shoes to his previous received worldwide. Today Nike is a vast em- Nike, Inc. coach Bowerman but he was interested to pire which incorporates various sports like join him and so they decided to become tennis, , soccer, cricket and athletics. equal partners. Though the business started Bill Bowerman’s desire for finding a better slow, by 1965 sales had reached an impres- solution and Phil Knight’s business innova- sive $20,000. tion have led to making Nike one of the most profitable and recognizable companies on The Waffle-Sole the planet. In 2012, its annual revenue was As their business was established by now more than $24 billion. they tried to launch their own line of shoes. Nike acquired companies on its way to After years of struggle, in 1971 they came up success, and they’ve also sold off most of with lighter weight training shoes that had them. One such company is . right an outsole with waffle-type nubs for traction. now, Nike has two subsidiaries, They debuted their training shoes in the Inc. and . 1972 U.S. Track & Field Trials. Nike sponsors several football, tennis and players. They also have a special Steve Prefontaine line of shoes for athletes. Their first brand ambassador was Steve Nike employs more than 44,000 people Prefontaine, who during his college ca- and its brand alone is valued at nearly $10 reer from 1969 to 1972 set seven American billion. Nike’s success has been the result of records from the 2,000m to the 10,000m. the constant innovation and timely invest- Soon they launched the Nike Air technology ments that have resulted in Nike making in 1979. This was able to further strengthen profits worth hundreds of million dollars their status as a successful competitor to the every year. competition that existed. The growth that Nike experienced was tremendous during this stage which lead them to go for Initial Public Offering by the end of 1980. Soon their brand had grown very popular with the fitness aficionados. And by 1982 they had be- come the No.1 supplier for athletic/training shoes in America.

The ““ Nike’s brand logo ‘Swoosh’ and tagline ‘’ had become a commonly recog- nizable symbol in the American households. Nike was previously known as Blue Ribbon Sports (RBS) In 1985, they went on to design signature founded in 1964 by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. shoes for an NBA rookie named and his increasing popularity took Nike’s sales to break new records. Soon Nike moved in to designing apparel and other cross-training accessories. They signed Wednesday, February 13, 2013 hil Knight was a middle suggesting the manufacturing of shoes in various international teams like the Brazil By Alicia Mathew distance runner hailing from Japan which would help retailers compete football team, U.S. men’s and women’s soccer Portland who trained under with the well-established German brands. team. In 1996, again they signed up a rookie P track and field coach Bill Bow- Founders Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman golfer Tiger Woods for a sum of $5 million erman. Bill Bowerman was looking for He tried many different combinations but per year. And the rest as they say, is history. ways to enhance his student’s perfor- they were not very successful. In the mean- mance and tried improving their shoes time his student Phil Knight went on to in his free time. complete his MBA in Finance from Stanford He tried many different combinations but University. There he wrote an assignment they were not very successful. In the mean- suggesting the manufacturing of shoes in time his student Phil Knight went on to Japan which would help retailers compete complete his MBA in Finance from Stanford with the well-established German brands. University. There he wrote an assignment 9

How Nike Michael landed Jordan

Friday, February 15, 2013 All Michael Jordan By Darren Rovell wanted to wear was lthough he wore Converse at North in the NBA. Carolina, because his coach was getting paid about $10,000 a year to put the brand on his players, the German makeA was his dream.

But Adidas wasn’t making an offer. It wasn’t that they thought Jordan wasn't worth anything; they were just caught at a bad time. After company founder Adi Dassler died in 1978, his wife, Kathe, took over the business. But she had her son, Horst, and her four daughters each run- ning separate divisions. The husbands of the daughters also were closely involved, which didn't make things easy. By the time of the Jordan ne- gotiations, tensions were high and thoughts of a succession plan were a top priority as Kathe was not in good health. She died later that year. “They were definitely in a state of flux,” said Frank Craighill, who represented Horst at the time. “It wasn't an easy thing to split." Jordan was extremely disappointed. Michael didn’t want to show up at Converse headquarters, but because of his relationship with Smith, he went. “We’re sitting in the conference room and they’re saying things like, ‘We are basketball,’” Jordan's agent David Falk recalled. “They’re telling us that they have Magic, Bird, Dr. J and .” 11 had started to turn on them toward the end Jordan’s liking. of the year. In February 1984, the company No one was doing that at the time. You reported its first quarterly loss ever. The were given what the company gave you. Olympics in Los Angeles that summer pro- "They really made a great effort of trying vided a nice morale boost -- most notably, to have my input on the shoe," Jordan told Carl Lewis won four gold medals in Nikes me five years ago, adding that he had never -- but there wasn't an immediate translation put on a Nike shoe to this point in his life. in sales. Then they moved into another room, where Converse and Adidas weren't ready for Jor- Jordan was shown more potential plans. dan, but all of a sudden, Nike needed him. If During the talk, Nike president and co-found- the company could only get him on the plane. er Phil Knight walked into the room. Strasser He had just come back from the Olympics, knew that Jordan was a car nut, so he said to and after a full college basketball season, he Jordan, "If you come with Nike..." told Falk he was It was at that exhausted. point that Falk's head “I have no interest “I have no inter- swiveled to the back est in going there,” If it came down to of the room and saw in going there,” Falk Falk said Jordan Knight clutching his told him. “Just do which company chest, as if Strasser had said Jordan told him. what you need to the keys to a car in his do to get me with offered top dollar, pocket. Strasser reached “Just do what you Adidas.” in and took out two die- Falk wouldn’t Spot-Bilt would cast Mercedes cars. need to do to get me have it. Although he "I think Phil al- was the least senior have landed Jordan most had a heart attack," with Adidas.” partner at his firm Falk said. and had met with Later that night, Jordan in person after the group went out only a couple of to dinner, Falk asked times, he had to have Jordan at Nike with Jordan -- who was emotionless the whole trip him. -- what he thought. Nike was Falk’s go-to company, and he "I don't want to go to another meeting," had a tremendous relationship with Rob Jordan told Falk. Strasser, the guy who did all the deals. “I’d tell Rob how much I needed to have a Knight Vision player sign with Nike, and he made it work,” On the advice of Vaccaro, Nike offered Falk recalled. Most of Falk's clients wore Jordan $500,000 a year in cash for five years, Nike, including Bernard King, and which was a ridiculous number at the time. . The previous highest contract was James Falk didn’t want to push his luck, and Worthy's deal with , an eight- he wasn’t getting through to Jordan, so he year deal worth $150,000 a year. Adding called Jordan’s parents, James and Deloris. stock options and other parts of the deal, He told them he needed their son at the Falk said Jordan would earn $7 million over presentation and the next thing Falk knew, those five years, as long as Nike didn't sever According to Joe Dean, who was in charge Dead silence. Converse had no chance. At na, he’s the next me,” O.J. said in the summer father, James, and Falk in Washington, D.C., Jordan was packing his bags with his parents the contract. of Converse’s marketing at the time, Michael the time, the brand was beginning to lose its of 1984. “We should go for him.” at the headquarters of ProServ, the agency in tow. In order to protect the company, Nike was supremely interested in the company’s spot as the nation’s top producer of athletic At the time, Simpson was vice president where Falk worked. When they arrived in Beaverton, Oregon, included a clause in Jordan's deal that said pitch. “I give him a lot of credit,” Dean said. shoes. Converse was slow to use leather, and of promotions for the Spot-Bilt brand, a For an inside edge, Spot-Bilt had hired they went into an office in one of the two if he didn't accomplish one of three things “He was asking, ‘With all these stars, where although Nike was signing coaches for bigger shoe owned by a company named Hyde Nike’s old ad agency, John Brown & Part- buildings that stood at Nike at the time. The -- win Rookie of the Year, become an All-Star do I fit into the conversation?’” dollars, Converse didn’t have the despera- Athletic that had paid Simpson to wear ners. They showed Falk and the Jordans group met with Strasser, designer Peter Moore, or average 20 points per game -- in his first John O’Neil, the president of Converse, tion it should have had in negotiations with Juice Mobiles while he was in the NFL. some storyboards and ideas. They used O.J. and those responsible for basketball at the three years, it could end the deal two years took that question. Jordan. Now he was drawing a regular paycheck as an example of what they could do and company, Howard White and Sonny Vaccaro. early. Falk then asked, "What happens if he “We’ll treat you like all our other super- “We were in a tough spot,” Dean said. “If from the company that made its money off explained that Jordan would be the most im- Jordan was shown a highlight tape of doesn't do any of those three, but still sells stars,” Dean remembered O'Neil saying, we gave Michael more, what would we have selling its cleats to teams. portant athlete in their portfolio if he wore himself to the Pointer Sisters "Jump," a shoes?" Nike's response, according to Falk, offering him a financial package of about done with Magic, Bird and Dr. J?” So John H. Fisher, then Spot-Bilt's vice the Spot-Bilt brand. song that had recently debuted. Moore was if Jordan sold at least $4 million worth $100,000 a year, commensurate with what president of marketing, went to his father showed him a red-and-black shoe design. of shoes in his third year, he'd get the final the top players were earning at the time. The Wild Card and asked him what to do. Nike Moves In Jordan said that one of the reasons he liked two years of the deal. Michael’s father, James, wanted in. It was O.J. Simpson, of all people, who “He told me, ‘Don’t leave a dime at the Nike was a fast-rising star. The company's Adidas was because they were lower to the When Jordan was told the terms, he said “Don’t you guys have any new, innovative called it: Michael Jordan would be the best door,’” the younger Fisher said. revenue went from $28.7 million in 1973 to ground than the higher shoes that Nike was he made one last private pitch. ideas?” he asked. new star in sports. “This kid at North Caroli- So Fisher went to meet with Michael, his $867 million by the end of 1983. But things making. Moore said he could tailor them to "I was very loyal," Jordan said at the time. 12 ARRAY / JULY + AUGUST 2017 13 "I went back to contract and said, 'This is the Nike contract -- if you come any- where close, I'll sign with you guys.'" Air Jordans made It wasn't happening. As for Spot-Bilt, Fisher knew going up against Phil Knight up 58 percent of all was going to be hard. Nike was almost 10 times as big as his company. The Spot-Bilt basketball shoes brand made shoes in the U.S. Nike made shoes in Asia. bought in the U.S. Knight was also killing the team business that was so profitable to Hyde’s Spot-Bilt & 77% of all kids' brand by giving shoes to teams for free. “Our shoes were good, but they weren’t basketball shoes. better than free,” Fisher said. Fisher saw the writing on the wall when the equipment manager at the University of Oklahoma, a big account, called him and said they didn’t have any choice but to wear Nikes. FLYING HIGH “Phil understood that the bigger prize was the promotional value instead of the revenue In the coming weeks, Falk came up Jordan played every game of his rookie from the team business alone,” Fisher said. with the name and Nike was season, averaged 28.2 points per game, Knight had boldly proclaimed at a shoe working hard to make a splash. and won the Rookie of the Year award. industry conference in Chicago in the mid- But first, Falk had to call Fisher to tell Kids wanted to "." '70s that he wasn’t in the shoe business. He him that Jordan would not be wearing The Air Jordan Is, at an unheard of was in the entertainment business. He might Spot-Bilt. price of $65 a pair, hit stores nationwide have given away his secret, but he was the "David called me and told us we had in March 1985. By May, Nike had sold $70 best at it. the highest bid, even though I always million worth. By year's end, the Air Jor- That's why when it came time to give an assumed Nike did," Fisher said. "He was dan franchise had yielded more than $100 offer, Fisher gave it his best shot. very respectful to me and said that Mi- million in revenues. "Phil was who he was and Falk was a chael and his father really appreciated the In the company's annual report that great negotiator, so I only had one time to time we spent with them." year, Knight called it "the perfect combi- do it," Fisher said. When the numbers were So what would have happened if Spot- nation of quality product, marketing and revealed, Falk was impressed. In straight-up Bilt had landed Jordan? athlete endorsement." cash, Spot-Bilt's deal would be worth more "We wouldn't have had Jordan wear In 2012, the Jordan brand sold $2.5 bil- than what Nike offered. those black-and-red shoes," Fisher said. lion worth of shoes at retail, its best year If it came down to which company offered "We were a family company, more conser- ever, according to market retail tracking top dollar, Spot-Bilt would have landed vative. We would have probably made a firm SportsOneSource. Air Jordans made Jordan, but Falk knew Nike had the market- white shoe with a red stripe on it." up 58 percent of all basketball shoes ing muscle. In fact, he said he made them As for whether the brand would have bought in the U.S. and 77 percent of all commit to putting $1 million into marketing been able to keep up with the Jordan kids' basketball shoes. Most of those kids Jordan's shoes in their first six months on craze, Fisher said he'd like to think it didn't even see Michael Jordan play. the shelves. would have, but not at the pace of Nike. "Sonny kept saying, 'He's the guy, he's When the 1984-85 season rolled the guy,'" White said. "But we didn't around, everything went right. know what that really meant. None of us The shoes were banned by the NBA thought it would be like it has been." because of their lack of uniform color Neither did Jordan. "Would the brand scheme. Nike paid the fines and made a have been as strong if it was adidas?" Jor- commercial. dan asked. "We'll never know." "On October 15th, Nike created a revo- But Jordan is thankful that adidas made lutionary new basketball shoe," the voice it easier for him to walk away from the in the commercial said. "On October 18th, brand he always loved. the NBA threw them out of the game. "In hindsight, it was perfect for me Fortunately, the NBA can't keep you from because it made my decision that much wearing them." easier, and I ended up with Nike." 14 ARRAY / JULY + AUGUST 2017 15 BREATHABLE SUPPORT ntended for runners who have a Engineered mesh upper with flywire provides secure comfort. higher, more stable arch that does not Techs + pronate excessively (roll inwards) or specs may even supinate (roll outwards). I Neutral Cushioned shoes offer very little or Type: no structure or pronation support and are Neutral Cushioned generally more flexible than stability shoes. Runners who require a neutral shoe tend to Surfaces: notice more excessive wear on the lateral Road, Gyms, Flats (outside) side of the soles of their running Benefits: shoes. Neutral shoes can vary from light- • Cushlon midsole weight and minimal cushioning to maximum provides soft feel on levels of cushioning depending on the needs impact, but responsive and preferences of the runner. Runners with on toe-off high/stable arches tend to notice pain on the • Flywire cable to lock- outside (lateral side) of their shins and knees down the midfoot and and may also battle plantar fasciitis if not provide extra support wearing a neutral cushioned shoe. • Engineered mesh upper enhances breathability VERSATILE AND FAST, the Nike Air and ventilation Zoom Pegasus 33 Men’s Running Shoe pro- • Zoom Air units in the RESPONSIVE CUSHIONING vides a perfect fit, fast feel, and responsive heel create low pro- Heel and forefoot Zoom Air delivers responsive cushioning. cushioning that will help you pick up the file, lightweight, and pace and focus on your speed. responsive cushioning from foot-strike through NIKE ZOOM AIR in the heel and toe-off forefoot makes for a soft, responsive, and • Flywire cables deliver the springy ride. ultimate in lockdown. • Engineered mesh upper The New SECURE COMFORT A consistent fit provides ventilation with engineered mesh allows for breathabil- and support. ity, while ultralight, super-strong flywire • Zoom Air units in the Pegasus cables provide incredible support. forefoot and heel pro- vide low-profile, respon- Fine-tuned for SMOOTH FOOT-STRIKE in the heel sive cushioning. is designed to support your natural range performance of motion and the outsole works to absorb Specifications: impact and cushion on contact for a soft, • Weight: 10.8 oz since 1983 smooth transition. • Heel-to-Toe Offset: 10 mm Drop THE SOFT CUSHLON mid-sole adds • Weight: 10.8 ounces Monday, February 11, 2013 cushioning and support. The no-sew toe (men’s size 10) By Nike SMOOTH RIDE overlay is perfect for lasting wear and the • Style: 831352 Stabilizing channel helps smooth out your foot-strike. Flex Grooves allow natural range of motion. ike’s Pegasus 33 delivers a The Waffle Pistons on the outsole are for quick, locked-in feel multi-surface traction throughout—for a lively, N efficient ride while training and racing. It’s a neutral running shoe featuring new vertical and horizontal cuts in the outsole to enhance grip and flexibility. The new Pegasus also features engineered mesh covering Flywire cables for added durability; in addition to Zoom Air units in forefoot to create low profile, lightweight, and responsive cushioning from foot-strike through toe-off. The Nike Pegasus continues to provide runners with a soft, responsive, cushioned midsole. 16 ARRAY / JULY + AUGUST 2017 17 OUR STORY

We started in a wash room and conquered the world. And in-between, we have scored big and also, sometimes, struggled to reach our goals. We have done our best for the best. We have improved and grown. Looking ahead to the future, always remembering where we came from. This is our story.

very great story has a be- victory would be heard around the world for said and constantly observed what can be ginning. This one started decades to come. And it made Adidas and improved or even invented to support their in a small town in Bavaria, its founder a household name on football needs. The best of the best trusted Adidas Germany. After first steps in pitches everywhere. and its founder from the beginning. And that Ehis mother’s wash kitchen, Adi Das- would not change throughout the decades sler registered the “Gebrüder Dassler Two brothers working together for to come. Schuhfabrik” in 1924 and embarked on the best of the athlete. Sounds familiar? Well his mission to provide athletes with the this story started across the channel, miles One ball for all Footwear for gold medal best possible equipment. Gold medals away from Herzogenaurach. While Adidas winners? Check. Apparel for record break- in Amsterdam (1928, Lina Radke) and continued to grow after its own 1954 miracle, ers? Check. Now, how about something to Berlin (1936, Jesse Owens) were first two British men by the names of Joe and kick with? Consider it done. In 1970, Adidas rewards and milestones – and only the Jeff Foster gave their grandfather’s company conquered yet another branch of the sport- start of our story. “J.W. Foster and Sons” (founded in 1895) a ing goods industry, delivering the official new name: Reebok. Keep it in mind for now, ball, TELSTAR, for the 1970 FIFA World Founding father On August 18, 1949, we will get back to this later. Cup™. As the name TELSTAR already tells, Adi Dassler started over again at the age the ball was designed to improve visibility on of 49, registered the “Adi Dassler Adidas Hfine feathers make fine birds What’s Black and White TV. It was the beginning of Sportschuhfabrik” and set to work with 47 in a name? Everything, when you name it a wonderful partnership, with Adidas pro- employees in the small town of Herzogenau- after a “Kaiser”. When the Franz Becken- viding the Official Match Ball to every FIFA rach. On the same day, he registered a shoe bauer tracksuit model celebrated its debut, it World Cup™ that followed. that included the registration of the soon- became the first piece of apparel for Adidas to-become-famous Adidas 3-Stripes. From and opened a whole new business to a com- The trefoil & the Olympic idea In humble beginnings to a global success story pany that, so far, was famous for shoes. 1972, the world turned to Germany when the – which was accelerated by a miracle … Olympic Games opened in Munich. Just in The athletes’ trust How do you consis- time for the event, Adidas presented a new A miracle in Bern Who would have tently earn the trust of world-class athletes logo that was here to stay: the Trefoil. Then, thought that screw-in-studs on lightweight through the decades? Produce innovative symbolising performance. Today, the Adidas football boots would help write history? products that make them better for once. Adi Originals collection stands for lifestyle and When the German national football team Dassler’s secret to success had an additional street. Times may change, but trefoiled qual- faced the unbeatable Hungarians in the personal ingredient: he met with athletes ity will always remain 1954 World Cup final, they won so much (some of them even as visitors in Herzoge- more than just a trophy. Their unbelievable naurach), listened carefully to what they 18 ARRAY / JULY + AUGUST 2017 19

A true multi-sports specialist today as miCoach – providing performance marked the birth of non-athletic promotions An innovative leader Herbert Impossible? Just a big word In one What belongs together comes From Herzogenaurach to the world: the statistics to athletes. in the sporting goods industry. Hainer became the new CEO of adidas-Sa- of its most memorable marketing campaigns, together. From the court to the catwalk and 3-Stripes kept expanding to more and lomon AG and, with him, the company’s Adidas lets its biggest athletes including the stadium to the street. The Adidas brand more sports throughout the years. This is The merge of arts and sports End of the family business Horst focus went even more to innovation. David Beckham, Haile Gebrselassie and offers apparel and footwear for every sport, reflected in the broad range of athletes who When US-based hip hop group Run DMC Dassler’s sudden death in 1987, two years ClimaCool (2002), adizero (2004) and the Muhammad and Laila Ali face their fears, every fashion, every style, whether you are trust Adidas to make them better: besides released “my Adidas” it was about setting the after his mother Käthe passed away, meant F50 football boot, launched just in time defeats and challenges only to prove that, an athlete or fashionista. And in 2011, Adidas the usual suspects such as the world’s troubled waters for Adidas. After the for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ in brought together sport, street and style best football players, like the Argen- Dassler family exited the company, it Germany, became market hits – as for the first time in one campaign to tinean national team. As of 2013, the World is changing leadership and question- did the new CEO. When you are already tell the world what it means to go all able strategic decisions that caused will lead the Adidas Group from one in, heart over head, inclusion over ego. Death of a shoemaker Adi of Sports is home to a record loss in 1992 and brought the record to the next and will become great, how do you “all in” (featured by Lionel Messi, David Dassler died on September 6, shortly company near bankruptcy. But who the longest-standing CEO of all DAX Beckham, Katy Perry and Derrick Rose) before his 78th birthday. The man more than 3,000 Adidas does not love a comeback story? companies in 2011. Herbert Hainer become even better? lived from the idea that, no matter your who almost single-handedly redefined Home sweet home The year the com- is surrounded by a very international goals or challenges, you have to go all in the sporting goods industry and lifted employees pany’s share is admitted to the DAX, team of Executive Board members. You keep on training. for the ultimate success. the benchmark by a mile left behind a comprising Germany’s 30 largest flourishing company. The end of one quoted companies, adidas-Salomon New century, new divisions Endless innovation Running Dassler era became the start of another: Adi’s record straight about hard working people in AG committed itself to its roots and moved As the new century started, the Adidas indeed, impossible is nothing. The slogan be- changed forever. Big words. History will tell son Horst, with support from his mother troubled neighbourhoods and about pure en- into new headquarters just outside Herzoge- Group reinvented the game again. In addi- came the synonym for reaching one’s goals. us if it is true. Adidas introduced the Energy Käthe, took over and – among many other thusiasm about their . Adidas itself naurach. The “World of Sports”, a former US tion to its sport performance offering, Adidas Boost running shoe which featured a com- things – continued to master his invention, only found out about this love story when military base turned campus, is constantly is the first in the industry to introduce a new On route to new heights At the end pletely new cushioning material. Created in the band held up the 3-Stripes shoes during renewed, extended and modernised over the lifestyle segment, focusing on sports-in- of 2010, the Adidas Group presented the cooperation with the German chemical com- Computer for your feet It sounds a concert in front of 40.000 fans – one of following years to house the growing compa- spired street-wear. In the years to come, new most comprehensive strategic business plans pany BASF, the material combines former quite common today, but back in the ‘80s, a these concert-goers was an Adidas employee. ny and its employees. As of 2013, the World partnerships with Yohji Yamamoto (2002) in its history. “Route 2015” incorporates spe- contradictory benefits of soft and responsive computer did not belong, much less fit, in The song became a hit and Run DMC and of Sports is home to more than 3,000 Adidas and Stella McCartney (2004) were born cial targets for all brands, sales channels and cushioning for a running experience unlike your shoe. Didn’t stop Adidas from putting Adidas unexpected and unique partners. employees, offers outdoor sports facilities, a along with exciting labels such as Y-3 (2003) Group functions globally. That same year, any other. it in there. An innovation ahead of its time, This merge of art and sports not only set the cafeteria, a kindergarten and a gym. and Porsche Design Sport (2007). TaylorMade reached market leadership and the Micropacer featured a system – known everlasting street fashion trend off but also became the biggest golf company worldwide. 21

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar The Jabbar set the precedent for signature player sneakers, now the norm. The same year as the Jabbar’s release, the NBA expanded from 14 to 17 teams: more teams meant more players and more signature sneakers.

he Adidas Jabbar was first $1,000 and a later model or reissue often released in 1971 as a signa- runs as much as $200 a pair. The Adidas ture basketball shoe and was Jabbar basketball shoes are a classic, simple inspired by Kareem Abdul design. They feature a white leather upper TJabbar, the 7'2", six-time MVP winner with a suede toecap. Blue reflective three from City and his trademark stripe branding sparks the upper into life "sky-hook" shot. which is finished with a graphic of Kareem Apart from the Chuck Taylor, it was on the tongue. Further detailing of blue arguably one of the first signature shoes. The accents on the ankle support and a stamped Adidas Jabbar, however, has never really Trefoil on the heel, conclude this fine exam- become a mainstream fashion item, however, ple of a true original. for collectors an original Adidas Jabbar in pristine condition will cost approximately 22 ARRAY / JULY + AUGUST 2017

Ultra BOOST Adidas today brings unprecedented comfort and energy to runners with the launch of its most technically-advanced running shoe yet, Ultra BOOST.

he full-length BOOST midsole and adjusts to the Achilles tendon's natural is comprised of 3,000 energy movements. For a customized fit and feel, capsules – 20 percent more a new, featherweight sock liner adapts to Tthan any shoe to date. The runners' individual foot forms. Ultra BOOST carefully-engineered Primeknit upper also boasts a new dual-density TORSION® provides a precision fit and maximum SYSTEM, embedded into the shoe's base. breathability, while the midsole tech- This allows for more independent move- nology returns energy with each step. ments between the heel and forefoot, giving Adidas officially unveiled Ultra BOOST runners superior stability and a smooth, at an event in New York with the help of controlled run. athletes Sammy Watkins, David Villa, Yohan To ensure Ultra BOOST can deliver ultimate Blake, Wilson Kipsang, Jenn Suhr, Tori Bow- comfort and energy return mile after mile, ie and Ajee Wilson. adidas put the shoe through the ARAMIS "To answer the world's athletes' call for testing system most commonly used by insti- more Energy we aimed to create the greatest tutions including NASA, Boeing and Audi. running shoe ever and we've done exactly "Each technology featured in Ultra BOOST that with was built to Ultra complement BOOST," “we aimed to create the each other said Eric greatest running shoe ever providing ener- Liedtke, gized adapt- adidas and we've done exactly that ability through executive a customized board with Ultra BOOST," fit, look and member. feel," said Ben "adidas has raised the industry standard with Herath, vice president of design for adidas BOOST and will continue blazing a path Running. "While we've taken innovation to in Energy Running for those who dare to the next level, the sleek silhouette of Ultra follow." BOOST is built to look as good as it per- A Stretch Web outsole with a perforated, forms." elastic design puts runners closer to the Adidas Ultra BOOST will be available at BOOST cushioning, allowing them to maxi- adidas.com and select retailers nationwide mize the energy-return benefits. A new heel on February 11 for $180. construction comfortably cradles the foot Pantofola d’Oro La Gazzetta Bianconeri

Featuring iconic La Vecchia Signora headlines, the Pantofola d’Oro La Gazzetta Bianconeri FG football boots celebrate their partnership with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

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