Skip navigation

Sports Biz


Current DateTime: 01:09:27 10 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 23279670
Expiration DateTime: 2/10/2012 1:12:30 AM

SPORTS BIZ SLIDESHOWS

» More

Current DateTime: 01:09:27 10 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 37998722

SPORTS BIZ VIDEO

» More

Current DateTime: 01:09:27 10 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 30231077

DARREN ROVELL'S SPORTS INDEX

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

ABOUT SPORTS BIZ

Darren Rovell brings you his unique take on the business of sports: a multi-billion dollar global industry and obsession full of personalities and products. On Sports Biz, Darren will give you his up-to-date take on everything from salaries to endorsement deals to marketing and promotions, trades and tirades – in short, everything that makes sports so exciting.

Wade Might Switch Nike Brands

Published: Friday, 17 Jul 2009 | 12:50 AM ET
Text Size
By: Darren Rovell
Sports Business Reporter

Dwayne Wade
Source: heat.com
Dwayne Wade

In a move that could rock the athletic shoe industry, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade is said to be on the cusp of switching Nike brands from Converse to the Jordan brand, CNBC has learned.

Although it's under the same corporate umbrella, it would be the biggest change in shoe deals since Kobe Bryant switched from adidas to Nike [NKE  Loading...      ()   ] in six years ago. The move would be seen as shocking since it could all but kill any momentum for the Converse brand, which Nike bought for $305 million in 2003.

Wade had signed with Converse just months before the Nike acquisition at a bargain rate of $400,000 a year. Two years into the deal, Wade signed an extension with the brand that would take the relationship through the 2011-12 season.

Wade's first signature shoe came out during the '05-06 season, the same year Wade led his Heat to the NBA title, while picking up the Finals MVP trophy. Two injury plagued years partly contributed to a dulling of Wade's impact with Converse and then came the ultimate buzz kill.

This past season, Wade didn't wear the Wade 4's during the season, despite the fact that Converse had been pushing that shoe to the market. Wade's agent Henry Thomas told CNBC that his client preferred the first version of his shoe and that his time at the Summer Olympics didn't allow for Wade to get used to the new model of his shoes.

The switch to Jordan would be strange since the Jordan brand, whose endorsers already include Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony, seemingly doesn't need any help. The Jordan brand owns a dominating 92.8 percent of the marquee basketball shoe market, while Converse only owns 1.2 percent of the market, according to SportsOneSource, a sports retail market tracking firm.

When reached, a Jordan spokesperson had no comment. Thomas didn't return calls seeking comment.

Wade recently posted on his Twitter account, "I got GOOD NEWS coming ... stay tuned."

Questions?  Comments? 

© 2012 CNBC, Inc. All Rights Reserved


Current DateTime: 11:43:35 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 11:56:47 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 10:08:28 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779197

Current DateTime: 10:56:22 09 Feb 2012
LinksList Documentid: 29779199
CNBCCNBC
About CNBC  |  Site Map  |  Video Reprints   |  Advertise  |  Help  |  Contact
Privacy Policy  |     |  Terms of Service  |  Independent Programming Report
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2012 CNBC LLC.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBCUniversal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters