USA TODAY's AJ Neuharth-Keusch noted the Nike "Equality" sneakers LeBron James debuted on opening night in October are "hitting the market." Limited-edition pairs -- 200 black and 200 white -- "will be available" to anyone in the U.S. via an online draw up until March 2. Participants "can enter the drawing once for free or enter with a $10 donation an unlimited amount of times." Proceeds will "go directly" to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture (USATODAY.com, 2/26).
ISSUES BRUIN? In Portland, Clare Duffy noted UCLA track and field athletes are "unhappy with their Under Armour-made shoes," as a report by the school's student newspaper noted athletes can "increasingly be seen wearing other brands' shoes because of issues with quality." UCLA signed a 15-year apparel deal with UA in May '16 for $280M. The issue "illustrates what happens when a company that pays to be the sole outfitter of a college isn't meeting the athletes' needs" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 2/26).
BOSS BABY: GOLFCHANNEL.com's Ryan Lavner noted Jason Dufner "doesn’t have a hat sponsor this year" on the PGA Tour, which is why he has already "worn caps with camouflage, American flags and The Notorious B.I.G.’s face." He "saved his most audacious look for Saturday at the Honda Classic -- a blue cap with 'BOSS' and five gold stars on the front." Dufner: "I’m doing whatever I want to do. This one was laying in [Rickie Fowler's] house last night, so I grabbed it" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 2/24).
