In West Palm Beach, Jason Lieser noted Heat G Dwyane Wade "will debut his 'Lucky 13' red and gray Way of Wade 4" sneaker against the Hornets in tomorrow's season opener. Wade described this model as the shoe he “always wanted to get to" after signing a 10-year deal with Li Ning in '12 worth around $60M. He "gained an equity stake" in the Chinese company and "asserted his creative influence, something he increasingly coveted as his fashion interest burgeoned." Wade: “It came to a point after my second year at Jordan where I just wanted to move on and have more say-so. I didn’t have a lot." Lieser noted Wade's Li Ning shoes "are far more of a collaboration" than others. Wade is "involved with the details from the onset and maintains a prominent voice throughout production" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 10/26).
TAKING A STANCE: USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham notes Stance this week "became the official sock of the NBA, creating colorful and pattern-filled takes on teams ... that sell for a premium." Science Inc. President Peter Pham, an investor in Stance, thinks the company "could eventually become as big as an Adidas or Under Armour." He said, "The NBA deal shows they’re in the same class with them. Fans will wear the team socks and start buying other Stance socks too." Stance co-Founder Taylor Shupe said that for the NBA, the company "approached the league, convincing them that 'they were leaving dollars on the table.'" He said, "They never sold any sort of designed or innovative socks" (USA TODAY, 10/27).
SINKING SUDS: In Portland, Joe Freeman reports the Trail Blazers have "partnered with Pyramid Brewing to create a White Pale Ale beer, labeled 'Reigning 3's,' that will be sold on draft and in 22 oz. bottles at the Rose Quarter and in select bars and restaurants in Oregon and Southwest Washington." The limited-edition beer "will feature three hops -- Cascade, Apollo and Lemon Drop -- and pay homage to one of the team's best weapons under coach Terry Stotts: three-pointers." In addition to partnering on the beer, Pyramid also "will donate $10 to the Oregon Food Bank for every three-point shot the Blazers make this season" (Portland OREGONIAN, 10/27).
STILL IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT: Kia has launched a series of new ads for its Optima sedan featuring Clippers F Blake Griffin. A multiplatform campaign including TV, digital and social media elements will debut during "Kia NBA Tip-Off." The campaign was created by David&Goliath, California, Kia's agency of record. Spots will appear on cable and network NBA programming and on all of Kia's social and digital platforms (Kia).
