Heat G Dwyane Wade has signed a deal to endorse MISSION Court Grip, which is "scientifically designed to combat ... slippage" on the basketball court, according to Craig Davis of the South Florida SUN-SENTINEL. A liquid is applied to the bottom of the sneakers that "uses pressure-sensitive nanotechnology designed to activate and provide grip when a player makes a cut." Wade began testing it "about 18 months ago and used it throughout last season." The product has "an applicator sponge for applying evenly to the bottom of shoes." Wade said that it "dries within a few seconds and provides sure footing for about 15 minutes." He said, "My game is about traction, changing direction. (The idea was) how can we come up with something that can help everyone to play basketball and feel confident with the court, and just go out and play and not have to worry about sliding and slipping and injuries." Davis noted Court Grip went on sale yesterday at Foot Locker stores for $14.99; it is also available on Eastbay.com. Wade said that Court Grip "may show up in gift bags for players in the pro-am all-star exhibition" that he and Heat Fs LeBron James and Chris Bosh are organizing at Florida Int'l Univ. on Oct. 8 (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 9/28). Wade appeared on NBC’s “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” last night, and host Jimmy Fallon displayed on-camera Court Grip. Fallon said, “This is a new product here, and I put it on. It might help my game.” Playing around, Fallon later applied Court Grip like deodorant and pretended his armpits were stuck because of the sticky nature of the product. Before Fallon and Wade shot three-pointers with random objects, Wade said, “Let me help you out,” and again applied Court Grip to Fallon’s sneakers (“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” NBC, 9/28).
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS: The AP's Tim Reynolds notes Wade has spent "much of this week in New York at what he and his team called the 'Brand Wade Summit.'" Wade and business partners like Gatorade, Jordan Brand, Hublot watches and other companies "get together for a series of meetings about where they've been -- and, most importantly, where they're going next." Wade: "It's something that not only we look forward to, but the partners look forward to it every year. It's become like one of those annual retreats where you can't wait to sit down and get to business." Wade is now "believed to make more in off-court earnings than in on-court salary, which was about $14 million alone this past season" (AP, 9/29).
