Kanye West Launching First Yeezy Basketball Shoe Line In '19

Kanye West's first Yeezy basketball shoe "will launch" in '19, and the news has been "accompanied by a loose silhouette sketch of several other upcoming Yeezy shoe designs," according to Nick DePaula of ESPN.com. The Yeezy line has "primarily focused on making lifestyle sneakers." Sources said that the entry into basketball "will mark a shift for the brand as it begins to create performance models that have also been fully wear-tested and developed with technology in mind." Sources said that the price point is "expected to be more than $225." For now, Adidas "plans to launch a variety of new Yeezy silhouettes" in '19 and is "locked in on a long-term deal with West that goes far beyond a standard endorsement deal." The basketball sneaker space is "going through a resurgence in competition, with Puma re-entering the marketplace this fall, and brands such as AND1 and New Balance setting their sights on NBA partnerships again" (ESPN.com, 7/27).