Latest news with #sneakerculture
Washington Post
18-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
'Women deserve to be at the table': The WNBA's signature shoe boom
INDIANAPOLIS — Signature shoes are ready for their share of the Indianapolis spotlight at All-Star weekend. Bright orange All-Star editions of Sabrina Ionescu's and A'ja Wilson's newest sneakers dropped into their eager fans' hands Thursday morning, joining the now legions of WNBA signature shoes on courts across the league. It's the latest installation in a busy boom for WNBA signature sneakers. In the past three years, Breanna Stewart, Ionescu, and Wilson have all released signature shoes, with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese signatures in the works. 'We knew there would be an adoption, but we didn't know it would be that fast and that grand,' Ben Nethongkome, the lead designer for Ionescu's shoe with Nike, said of the growth of her line. 'It's been highly rewarding to see Nike really addressing the ask and need from that side of the game,' he added. 'It's great to hear the (male signature athletes) giving flowers, like, 'Wow, women's basketball is really growing in a beautiful way.'' StockX, a prominent force in the sneaker resale ecosystem, has been feeling the surge within sneakerhead culture. Sales of WNBA signature sneakers on their site jumped 938% from 2023 to 2024, and they are on pace to see year-over-year sales of them increase by double digits again this year. Brendan Dunne, senior director of customer community and engagement at StockX, called it 'an explosion of interest.' But don't mistake it as a new phenomenon. Call it a comeback. From 1995 to 2010, nine WNBA signature sneakers hit the shelves, led by original stars Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie. In the next 12 years, there was only one, from Elena Delle Donne. New York Liberty stars All-Stars Stewart and Ionescu were the first two active WNBA players to sign their new deals, with Puma and Nike, respectively, to end the drought and usher in this new era. The most recent Sabrinas and A'Ones, both with Nike, retail at $135 and $115, respectively. The most recent Stewies with Puma retail at $120. 'When I was able to get mine, I understood the gravity of knowing it's going to be a successful business, and showing the world that women deserve to be at the table talking about the signature shoe business,' Ionescu said. 'They really can change the landscape of the sport.' Wilson's first model was released in May. 'It's been a dream come true,' the WNBA MVP said. 'To see everybody in the community wear it, it warms my heart and it never gets old. I'm like, you really took the time to support me.' The Angel Reese 1s are the next drop on the signature shoe calendar, and the shoe's image and 'Diamond Dust' colorway were revealed to the public earlier this month. The shoe will be officially launching in 2026. 'I'm happy for that,' said basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal, who has been a mentor for Reese. 'She's having fun. She represents our family.' '(The WNBA) is big, but it needs to become bigger,' he said. Nethongkome said that in comparison to the design style in the 1990s, which was more 'bold and kind of in your face,' many sneakers in their new lines feature more hidden nods, like the slight vertical tip of the Nike logo on Ionescu's shoe to represent the breaking of a glass ceiling or the lowercase 'i' on the heel. Those small design choices are representative of a larger trend in today's new signatures. Personal details and storylines are becoming more prevalent, making each shoe especially distinctive to its athlete. Ionescu's sneakers feature gradient embroidery that pay homage to her Romanian roots, and Wilson's original A'One colorway was pearlescent, as a nod to a pearl necklace her late grandmother gave her. A favorite saying from her grandmother is featured on the outsole: 'As a matter of fact, the best is yet to come.' ___ The Associated Press' women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will Deion Sanders Pass The Nike Torch to Shedeur Before NFL Season?
Will Deion Sanders Pass The Nike Torch to Shedeur Before NFL Season? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Deion Sanders is one of the greatest signature athletes in the modern era. His Nike Diamond Turf line was one of the most groundbreaking and continues to move units just by being associated with 'Prime Time'. Advertisement No signature athlete will likely ever reach the levels of the Air Jordan line, but that is understood at this point. After Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron, there might not be a better signature line with as many worthy iterations. These are incredible Tinker Hatfield designs that helped shape the on-field footwear we see today. NFL stars like Jalen Hurts, Travis Kelce and Deebo Samuel would not be wearing converted cleats from famous basketball shoes if it wasn't for the Nike Air DT Max '96. There is no such thing as overstating Deion Sanders' impact on the sneaker culture or even the sports culture overall. Allen Iverson invented NBA swagger, but 10+ years before that, Deion Sanders invented NFL swagger. There is no doubt, amidst the current sneaker culture, that Diamond Turfs would continue to be a product fans would flock to for years to come. Michael Jordan proved that if a shoe is beloved enough, even consumers who never saw him play live will buy that product in massive quantities without the nostalgia effect. An issue arises though when there is a legacy in position to take over the mantle or make it his own. After the Colorado Buffaloes 2024 football season concluded, then star quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the subject of an event held at the Nike Well Collective in Boulder. On that day, Sanders confirmed Nike was working on 'his shoe'. Whether Shedeur was set to get a signature shoe or not is still unconfirmed. However, last month at the Panini NFL Rookie event, Sanders did confirm that a Nike Air Diamond Turf 3 in a 'Browns' colorway will be available sometime in August. Yet, there are Deion Diamond Turf 1s still scheduled to release in August and September. The OG Nike Air Diamond Turf 2 is also scheduled to be released in 2026. Nike should consider moving those August and September release dates up, to clear the way for Shedeur's shoes to move. Then release the DT2 in Fall of 2026, as scheduled. Advertisement Deion Sanders is a sneaker culture juggernaut. Even with as popular as Shedeur is right now, competing with father's releases would lead to less than stellar numbers on as a whole. Deion's Nike line maximizes two factors: Nostalgia and love for 'Prime Time' that was built over the course of 30+ years. While Shedeur has a following that is significant, putting a release out within a month of Deion's would be like putting Jordan Tatums or Jordan Lukas up against a Retro Jordan 11 release. One bold prediction is that Shedeur Sanders will start for the Cleveland Browns at some point in the 2025 season. When that happens, if there is even a chance, he scores a touchdown in the east end zone at Huntington Bank Field and flexes 'wrists up' to the Dawg Pound, that stadium is going to lift off its foundation. That moment could be Shedeur's 'We Are All Witnesses' LeBron-type moment. Related: Colorado Buffaloes Land ESPN 300 Four-Star Linebacker Over Power Four Schools Nike is not going to want there to be any impediments to pushing Shedeur. They will have an opportunity like they have never had in their history. One of their Mt. Rushmore-level signature athletes have a son who elevates to signature athlete status himself. Advertisement Related: Deion Sanders' Sends Tear-Jerking Message to Mother in Nike Tribute No athlete who has garnered enough star power to be a signature athlete has ever raised a child that grew up to reach that level. The moment Sanders starts a game in the NFL, he will become the first. Nike needs to understand that while Shedeur has star power, the Sanders Prince should never be forced to compete with the Sanders King. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders' Nike Air Diamond Turf 1 'Ravens' Sells Out in Minutes
Deion Sanders' Nike Air Diamond Turf 1 'Ravens' Sells Out in Minutes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Deion Sanders continues to leave his mark both on and off the field. The latest re-release of his signature Nike Air Diamond Turf 1, in a 'Ravens' colorway, sold out within minutes of its online debut Friday morning. Advertisement Nike's revival of the 1994 classic is the latest chapter in Sanders' enduring influence on sneaker culture. Originally designed to match Sanders' rare two-sport dominance in the NFL and MLB, the Air Diamond Turf 1 featured a midfoot strap, bold color blocking and a logo symbolizing both sports. The shoe quickly became synonymous with Sanders' flashy persona and remains a staple in the history of signature athletic footwear. While many fans associate the Diamond Turf line with Sanders' 1994 season in San Francisco, the original model is tied to his early years in Atlanta with the Falcons and Braves. The design's roots reflect the era when Sanders' star power first captivated the sports world. He's the only player to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week. A feat that will likely go untouched in history. Advertisement Related: Five-Star Recruit Sends Clear Message to Deion Sanders After Colorado Snub The new 'Ravens' colorway taps into nostalgia while introducing the silhouette to a new generation. Its rapid sellout reflects the shoe's timeless appeal. Also, Sanders' continued relevance in sports and fashion is evident. His return to Nike after years with Under Armour has only amplified excitement around his retro line. Related: Deion Sanders Sparks Nike Frenzy, but Raises Oversaturation Concerns Now Sanders' cultural impact is seeing a resurgence. With his son, Shedeur Sanders, emerging the next generation of the Nike legacy, there will be no shortage of future colorways. Advertisement Another Diamond Turf sell out shows that when it comes to iconic sneakers and lasting influence, Sanders still sets the standard. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
