In New Orleans, William Guillory notes Pelicans G Rajon Rondo "wore a pair of Air Jordan 11s to go along with the team's red jerseys" in Sunday's game against the Knicks despite having an endorsement deal with Chinese sportswear brand Anta. Due to the deal, Rondo "covered the Jumpman logo on his sneakers." He has worn Anta sneakers "in most of his games this season" (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 1/17).
FOUNDING MOMENT: THOR Companies, Minnesota’s "largest minority-owned firm," has contributed $1.3M to be one of 23 "founding partners" of Super Bowl LII. THOR Chair & Founder Richard Copeland said that they are the "first African-American owned company to ever be involved at such a high level of sponsorship with a Super Bowl host committee organization." Other founding partners "include Land O’Lakes, H.B. Fuller, Mayo Clinic, Love Your Melon, Sleep Number, Xcel Energy and CHS" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/17).
HEAR ME ROAR: Jordan Brand believes there is an "untapped market of women who respect the company’s legacy but want more options made just for them." The brand's spring collection includes 10 "different colorways of the Jordan 1 silhouette made from satin and suede fabrications with a raised Nike check." Jordan Brand VP & GM of Women's/Kids Andrea Perez said that they will be "releasing the sneaker at specialty boutiques including Kith and CNCPTS, and also working with Pinterest on social commerce." There is also a "dedicated women’s page on Jordan’s e-commerce site" (WWD.com, 1/12).
