In Houston, Matt Young notes Rockets G James Harden's first "signature shoe from adidas isn't slated to be released until December," but the "personal logo" was released yesterday. The "basketball-inspired shape features a jagged 'H' in the center that could stand for Harden, and -- of course -- H-Town." A Project Harden Instagram was created yesterday and it "unveiled a short psychedelic video previewing the shoes" (CHRON.com, 8/10).
WITHOUT A TRACE: In California, JP Hoornstra notes other than photos, the Dodgers "removed all traces" of RF Yasiel Puig from their official team store this week. Puig last week was sent to the Triple-A PCL Oklahoma City Dodgers. Any merchandise "bearing his name, jersey number or likeness has been placed in storage" (INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN, 8/10).
DYNAMIC DUO: In Orlando, Caitlin Dineen noted local tourism group Experience Kissimmee has "inked a three-year partnership" with EPL club West Ham United that "includes high-profile marketing placement at the team's stadium." Experience Kissimmee President & CEO DT Minich said that the company is "now the team's official destination partner." The partnership is the "first of its kind" between a U.S. destination and an EPL team. Experience Kissimmee's logo "will be on buses used by visiting teams" and on display at West Ham's Olympic Park (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/9).
FASHION SENSE: Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday announced a deal between its private label collection and Pelicans C Anthony Davis. The alliance, dubbed "Saks Fifth Avenue X Anthony Davis," marks the first time the label has collaborated with an athlete on a fashion collection. The limited-edition collection officially launches today within 23 Saks Fifth Avenue locations -- a tribute to Davis' jersey number -- as well as on saks.com (Saks).
