Raptors F Kawhi Leonard was wearing a "Board Man Gets Paid" T-shirt by New Balance for the team's NBA championship parade in Toronto today, referencing a phrase he used to tell opponents in high school and college (Mult., 6/17). YAHOO's Alyssa Tria noted New Balance on Friday released the "Board Man Gets Paid" shirt for $39.99 -- complementing the "Funny Guy" shirts from earlier this month -- and they "sold out completely online, after less than two hours." There was "no news" as to whether or not New Balance would restock the shirts. The shirts come after New Balance unveiled a “Board Man Gets Titles” billboard in downtown Toronto, following the most recent “The King of the North is Coming” billboard in Oakland (NEWS.YAHOO.com, 6/14).
BALANCING ACT: WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY's Obi Anyanwu noted the Raptors are "soaking in the adoration from global basketball fans" following their NBA Finals victory, and New Balance is also "receiving more love" based on Leonard's Finals MVP performance. New Balance sales increased about 50%, and the "average order value for New Balance sales increased" by 20%. Prior to the NBA Finals, the New Balance 997S Kawhi Leonard 2-Way was "reselling for an average price of $256 and jumped" 63% to $417 during the Finals. The effect is "not exclusive to New Balance either." Listings for the 'Pass the Torch’ Retro Air Jordan 1 sneakers from Leonard’s time with Jordan Brand also "jumped in average price" (WWD.com, 6/14).
