SPORTS

The Rise of Women’s Basketball Shoes: A Game-Changer in Sports and Fashion

Published

6 months ago

June 24, 2024

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Last week, the Boston Celtics won the championship again after 16 years, announcing the official end of the 2023-24 NBA season, and the WNBA, which has just started the 2024 season, is still not discussed much in China. But in fact, in the past few years, women’s basketball games, including the WNBA and NCAA women’s basketball, have reached new heights in audience numbers and cultural status. As of the end of last month, the WNBA’s ratings this season have increased by 21%, and the attendance rate has also hit a 13-year high.

The continued rise of women’s basketball has also been reflected in the basketball shoe market. Since the start of the WNBA season in early May, the interest in the entire women’s high-performance footwear category has increased significantly, and the scale of retail sales and secondary market transactions has soared in an unprecedented way. Sales of Nike Sabrina 1 alone increased by more than 200% in 2024 compared to last year, and several other WNBA signature shoes also achieved good results.

Getty Images

Since the WNBA sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu’s personal signature shoe, Nike Sabrina 1, debuted in the second half of last year, it has become the favorite of many basketball players with its design that takes responsiveness as the key to the performance of the shoe. According to statistics from the shoe website kixstats, the shoe was worn 893 times in the last NBA season, ranking fourth on the “Most Popular Shoes List”. It even appeared on the Hollywood red carpet, showing its potential as a fashion shoe in addition to actual combat shoes.

Nike

The Nike Sabrina 2, which will be officially released on June 28, is designed with agility in mind and is 28 grams lighter than its predecessor. It is not difficult to foresee that the hype about the Sabrina signature shoe will continue to heat up. Of course, the growing trend of women’s basketball shoes is not limited to Nike Sabrina. This time, Hypebeast will analyze the rise of women’s basketball shoes in the field of sneakers, the reasons and the deeper meaning behind it.

Major brands are scrambling to enter the WNBA

Jordan Brand

Nike has been making frequent moves in the field of women’s basketball shoes recently. In addition to Sabrina, in April this year, it signed an 8-year contract with WNBA’s new No. 1 female pick Caitlin Clark, with a total contract value of $28 million, which includes the launch of her signature sneakers. A’ja Wilson, who led the Las Vegas Aces to win the championship last season and won the title of Finals MVP, will also have her first pair of signature sneakers in cooperation with Nike in 2025. Previously, she only had exclusive PE color shoes.

Puma

Nike is not the only one that has noticed the potential of women’s basketball and followed suit. Faced with a relatively open field, adidas announced last month the appointment of recently retired WNBA legend Candace Parker as the brand’s president of women’s basketball; PUMA Hoops teamed up with Breanna Stewart in April to bring the latter’s third signature shoe, Stewie 3; Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese revealed that she will cooperate with Reebok to launch a signature shoe series; in addition, New Balance signed the first female basketball player Cameron Brink last year, and it is not difficult to see its ambition to enter the women’s basketball shoe market.

Including the signature shoes that have not yet been launched, only 13 WNBA players in history have been lucky enough to have their own signature shoes, and 5 of them have occurred after 2022. Currently, there are only 3 active WNBA players on the market with signature shoes, Breanna Stewart, Elena Delle Donne and Sabrina Ionescu, and more than 30 NBA players. Obviously, in the face of the increasing attention and yet over-competitive women’s basketball events, it is a wise move to quickly associate the brand image with the superstars of the event.

Tailor-made, women’s basketball shoes are no longer small-sized men’s

Adidas

For a long time, most female basketball players have worn men’s basketball shoes. “Compared to the men’s shoe business, the women’s high-performance basketball shoe business is very small, partly because these brands fundamentally refuse to produce women’s basketball shoes,” sports shoe industry analyst Matt Powell told Fast Company. He estimated that less than 5% of basketball shoes are designed specifically for women. Sabrina Ionescu also said that when she was studying at the University of Oregon, she realized that there were no basketball shoes suitable for young girls on the market.

Although the first pair of basketball shoes designed specifically for women appeared in 1995, Sheryl Swoopes’ signature shoe Nike Air Swoopes, because women’s basketball has not received the attention it deserves and has not formed a systematic commercial market for many years, apart from signature shoes, few brands are willing to take the risk of creating women’s basketball shoes from scratch that are destined to have poor sales. Basically, they just modify existing shoes according to women’s characteristics, or directly narrow the shoe last, reduce the size, and provide more feminine colors. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

New York Post

Natalie White, who was a manager and player of the women’s basketball team at Boston College, was dissatisfied with the above situation and founded the women’s basketball shoe brand Moolah Kicks in 2020. It became the first and only sports brand designed by female basketball players and designed for female basketball players at that time. It is currently led by Jon Morris, who designed basketball shoes for Shaquille O’Neal at Reebok. WNBA players including Courtney Williams have chosen to wear Moolah Kicks products on the court.

Sneaker brand giants seem to have noticed this and have begun to provide tailor-made equipment support for female athletes. Last year, adidas launched Exhibit Select, a new basketball shoe designed specifically for women. This top women’s basketball performance shoe was designed with reference to insights and data from top female athletes and real female testing teams. NCAA basketball superstar Hailey Van Lith was also invited to appear in the advertising blockbuster.

Beyond sneakers, the extraordinary significance of sneaker contracts for female players

Nike/Getty Images

As the No. 1 pick in the WNBA this year, Caitlin Clark’s rookie contract caused widespread discussion after it was announced in April. The total value of the four-year rookie contract is $338,056, and the salary in 2024 is only $76,535. For comparison, the four-year contract of Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick in the NBA in 2023, is worth $55,200,000. As we all know, the average base salary of WNBA players in 2023 is only $113,295, which is far lower than the salary of NBA players, and most of the time it is only a fraction of the latter.

There are many reasons behind this. Due to differences in visibility and accessibility between leagues, the sharing of league revenue with players, and issues such as gender discrimination and racial discrimination, the reality is far more complicated than we imagined. But in any case, leaving aside signature shoes, sneakers and endorsement contracts from sports brands undoubtedly play an irreplaceable supplementary role in the salaries of WNBA players. It can be said that it is an important pillar to support them to continue their careers, and even an important factor in motivating more women to engage in this sport.

Skims

Undoubtedly, brands have unique resources to expand players’ influence off the court through various marketing activities, shaping them into fashion icons, while also enriching the narrative of the sport and its surroundings, advocating for increased media exposure and opportunities for female athletes, challenging outdated narratives, and promoting more inclusive and diverse sports performance. This is also true outside of sneakers. As the official underwear sponsor of the WNBA, Kim Kardashian’s SKIMS kicked off a new campaign before the start of this year’s WNBA new season, starring some of the league’s most watched stars.

Getty Images

The rise of the women’s basketball shoe market is not only a recognition of the long-term efforts of women basketball players, but also an experience that the market and brands are gradually recognizing the potential of female athletes. As more and more brands join in the design and promotion of women’s basketball shoes, the women’s basketball shoe market is ushering in unprecedented development opportunities. From the hot sales of the Nike Sabrina series to major brands signing rookie players to launch signature shoes, women’s high-performance basketball shoes are changing the landscape of the traditional basketball shoe market.

In the future, we have reason to expect more innovative designs and brand collaborations to further enhance the influence and commercial value of women’s basketball. This is a commercial success and a great encouragement and support for female athletes, allowing them to continue to shine on the global stage. The rise of the women’s basketball shoe market may also be an important sign of the rise of women’s sports. While narrowing the gender gap, it also provides more diverse choices and possibilities for all basketball players and fans.

2024-06-24 14:43:51
#supporting #role #womens #basketball #shoes #exciting #sports #market #Hypebeast

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SPORTS

The Truth About the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 Match

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

1oo9t

In one way or the other, almost every Nigerian has heard of the mythical match between India Vs. Nigeria that ended with 99 goals to 1 with India being victorious.

Before the advent of the internet, this story successfully thrived among Nigerians, but with the emergence of the internet and easy access to social media, the truth behind the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match was revealed.

Though there are different accounts of the match, but they all have the following in common:

That the match ended with India scoring 99 goals and Nigeria scoring just one goal.
That Nigerians were unable to kick the ball because the football kept turning to a lion which scared them away…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>
2. That Indians later agreed that if Nigeria could score one goal, they would concede defeat.
3. That Samuel Okwaraji scored the winning goal and lost his life in the process because the ball turned into stone as he was about to kick it.
4. That FIFA banned India from soccer because they used juju (black magic) in that match.
Why did people believe the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story?

Even with the absence of the internet back then, this kind of claims should be immediately recognized as lies, the kind of lies they call “big fat lies”. But most people like to acknowledge this story as true with the fact that no one has ever seen India play in an International Football Match. Since no one actually saw India participate in most international soccer games, this gave a little credence to the story.

Another reason this lie thrived for long was that credible information was not easily accessible in Nigeria unlike now that even a 4-year-old child can debunk false claims within minutes with the help of Google. This Nigeria Vs India match story would have been fabricated by one community elder to children during an evening gathering; that’s our take at OldNaija.

What Actually Happened!

On the 12th of August 1989, Nigeria lost one of her best footballers, Sam Okwaraji who died during a football match. We wrote about how he died on the pitch and you can read it here. Sam Okwaraji was the player rumoured to have lost his life in that game when in truth he died during a FIFA World Cup qualifying game against Angola in the 77th minute. He collapsed and died of cognitive heart failure. May his soul rest in peace. AMEN!

Samuel Okwaraji (circled)

So, that is the only truthful thing about the India Vs Nigeria 99-1 match story, the fact that a Nigerian player died during a football match. That is what these lies was fabricated around. The match was not against India, Nigeria did not lose the match and as you must have guessed, and there were no lions or ball turning into a stone.

Meme by Campus Bro

Nevertheless, one cannot deny that this kind of story made one’s childhood as a Nigerian. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Before we go,

Why was India Banned by FIFA?

India was never banned by FIFA. It was India that withdrew from the tournament themselves. Here is how it happened.

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made it clear to India that they would not be allowed to play in the 1950 FIFA World Cup without footwear.

Then something happened. You see, when determining the make-up of the 1950 World Cup, FIFA determined that obviously the two defending finalists, Brazil and Italy, would be guaranteed slots. That left fourteen slots that needed to be filled.

FIFA decided that seven of those slots would come from Europe, six would come from the Americas and one would come from Asia.

The problem was that of the four Asian teams that were invited to the World Cup, three of them (the Philippines, Indonesia and Burma) withdrew from the tournament before the qualification round.

Therefore, India earned an automatic slot within the World Cup. It would be India’s first time appearing in the World Cup but India, too, withdrew from the tournament because FIFA would not allow them to compete barefoot.

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SPORTS

SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

Published

2 months ago

November 5, 2024

1oo9t

The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

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SPORTS

NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

Published

2 months ago

October 12, 2024

1oo9t

In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.

Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

PHOTO MIKE STOBE, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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