A Nike spokesperson said the Prince George's County, Md.-themed Kevin Durant sneakers featured in a recent Sneaker News report "were given to the athlete as a player exclusive and will not be available at retail." In DC, Dan Steinberg noted the initial report "was very exciting to Wizards fans bleeding #KD2DC, and to fans of the Maryland road system." The report noted the sneakers feature "a map that’s embossed onto the upper’s Posite section, complete with callouts to arteries like Walker Mill Road and Denise Drive" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 10/22).
SCHOOL SPIRIT: In Tampa, Kelly Parsons noted Nike's Plant High School-themed Zoom Speed Trainer 2 shoes, "which are black and gold and read ‘Plant’ above a line of Panther paws, went on sale online" yesterday at 8:00am ET for $100. By 8:23, Plant football coach Robert Weiner "was told, they were sold out." Weiner said that he "was involved in the design process and looked at more than 50 options before the final shoe was created, electing to have the school slogan ‘Strength in Unity’ printed on the shoe’s tongue to make the footwear not just about football ... but the whole Plant community." It is "not the first time" Nike has created a sneaker for a high-school program. The company in '12 "created a Nike trainer for Don Bosco Prep, a football powerhouse" in New Jersey. Weiner said that while Nike "planned to have just one run of the Plant shoe (500 pairs)," the popularity of it "might lead to another" (TAMPABAY.com, 10/22).
CHUCK'S ROOTS: In Indiana, Kirk Johannesen notes Converse is producing "a limited-edition style of Chuck Taylor Converse All Star basketball shoes" specifically for Columbus, Ind., the hometown of the shoe's namesake. Taylor graduated from Columbus High School in 1919. The shoes "will come in royal blue and the other in orange, the colors for Columbus North and Columbus East" high schools. The design "features a logo on the side that incorporates a basketball lane, the state of Indiana, a star to show Columbus' location, the city's 'dancing C' logo and Taylor's signature." Columbus "is spelled out on the back heel stripe." Potential buyers "will only have a few weeks to get in on the onetime offer" (Columbus REPUBLIC, 10/23).
