Matt Varga The propulsive force behind the Nike LeBron 23 remains telling some of The King’s most lasting stories. On the court, that’s meant stops in “LeBronto” or reliving “The Masked Menace,” but the team in Beaverton has demonstrated that they’re not limited to the field of play. Indeed, his time as the focus of sports media already inspired the “Good Intentions” Decision-related pair; another chapter in the life of James results in the “Shoe Bag” edition.
Though official images of the actual LeBron 23 “Shoe Bag” haven’t come to light yet, the “tour date” T-shirt that follows in its wake has. Seemingly taking cues from both his initial courtship of the Swoosh and recent developments like his lifetime deal, the key imagery here is a Nike box filled to the brim with cash and crossed-out logos from rival companies.
Famously, Reebok and adidas, the brands that James and co. wink at here, were the other initial suitors for LeBron’s talents. The German giant put a $10 million annual deal on the table, but would eventually whittle that down to $7 million; the Swoosh stuck steadfast to a $90 million deal that won out in the end.
The Boston brand, by contrast, nabbed the first meeting with the Saint Vincent-Saint Mary phenom, but their offer was a “right here and now” situation; rather than chance LeBron escaping to another company, they offered $10 million to refuse any other meetings. Wisely, James and his mother Gloria kept their options open.
As they say, the rest is history, and as illustrated by the “it’s a long-term thing” quote on this shirt, LeBron James is now a “Nike guy” for life. As with previous tee/colorway pairings, this Nike LeBron 23 “Shoe Bag” shirt will be touching down alongside the sneakers themselves. Catch product shots below and keep our coverage within reach to be the first to know when images of James’ signature hit the ‘net.
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