Dwyane Wade Joins Li-Ning
October 1st, 2012 by John K. | 16 comments
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Roughly one month ago a report of a potential split between Jordan Brand and its purported top-level athlete/representative Dwyane Wade created some interesting discussion among our readers. Wade is indeed one of the star athletes of the entire NBA and certainly one of the few multi-Championship All-Stars that are still active in the game, but in Wade’s case, his star status both on and off the court didn’t translate into major sales numbers or anything remotely close to the standards of the Air Jordan legacy. Even in Sneaker News’ recent Jordan Brand Holiday 2012/Spring 2013 preview, anything remotely ‘Wade’ wasn’t in sight, which pretty much said what needed to be said without words. In any case, Wade’s contract with the brand that started in 2009 has seen its inevitable end, and it is now confirmed by current Li-Ning brand endorsee Evan Turner of the Philadelphia Sixers that Dwyane Wade has indeed joined Chinese athletic brand Li-Ning.
While no break-up is ever worth a celebration, this business decision looks to benefit both sides; the Fly Wade series experienced mediocre-at-best sales and perhaps didn’t justify his annual salary (one that would’ve needed to be raised or been in at the same rate in order to keep him), but the flipside may reveal that Wade is likely getting a generous endorsement contract as well as major marketing potential in China, where NBA stars are as heavily praised as they are in the States. It’s a move that gives Wade what he’s looking for (more international fame and relevance and more dollars) while allowing Jordan Brand a ‘fresh start’ of sorts with either a new line of performance basketball footwear or maybe even another signature athlete down the line. Your thoughts on Wade’s decision to jump to Li-Ning? Any suggestions as to who can step up and be Jordan Brand’s third guy?
FAIL FOR D.WADE, WIN FOR LI-NING. Wades might not have looked great but were actually one of the better shoes to ball in. I hear the Li-Ning brand makes quality hooping shoes but sales should be lower than the Fly Wade line
the fly wades are actually pretty good shoes to ball in. Don't know why they didn't get more attention.. I also own a pair of Li-Ning Defends (B.Davis) and they're not as good quality wise. So I wonder whether Wade gets a decent Li-Ning signature sneaker
this guy has never had a nice sig..and nothings gonna change with li ning except an injury
people are over acting. wade's signature shoes are one of the best if not the best performing shoes out there. smh. i guess its all about the hype nowadays
@kennotstop_23 ummm wrong
Seriously, who owns a pair of D.Wade’s tho? haha
tbh i thought that the fly wade's were way more decent then the melo's and cp3's signatures that jordan released, but i guess they were spending way more effort, time and money into wade's shoes then their's
I mean look at the little eBay thing. The article is about Wade not selling shoes and instead of them putting up sales for his sneakers, they put up Raptor 7's.
The reason Fly Wades didn't sell is because of Retros. Jordans are looked at as a style shoe, not a basketball product. People will go ape shit over retros and no one cares about Jordan's basketball products because they have Nike, who puts out more/better basketball shoes. Before it's all over Jordan brand will be deduced to only releasing Retros if the way people act over them continues.
Fly Wades were sooo wack. After the earlier days of Jordan Brand, EVERY new design they've brought out has been straight trash.
good. hopefully they make a sweet logo for him like da beardman for bdiddy.
@Big_Infinite U FAKE.... quit copying all my photos & posting hem as ya own
@Da_Real_Big_Infinite get off my jock
@Da_Real_Big_Infinite you're the one trying to steal my name
@Big_Infinite get off my name & pix u fraudulent character...
I play basketball all over and I've literally never seen anyone in his Jordan shoes. His Converse shoes actually seemed more popular IMO.