LeBron, Stephon
and Sneaker Ethics Stephon Marbury's
Starbury line of shoes and clothes is now entering its second year introducing the
Starbury II, Marbury's signature shoe. The line is also expanding this spring to include skateboarding, basketball, casual and women's shoes all $14.98 and less. But in a recent game between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers,
LeBron
took a shot at the Starbury line of shoes. Newsday reporter Ken Berger asked King James if he would ever consider endorsing sneakers that cost $15.
"No, I don't think so," said James, whose Nikes cost around $150 a pair. "Me being with Nike, we hold our standards high." Ouch!
Berger then went over and asked Marbury what he thought about the comment. He responded saying, "I'd rather own than be owned." Oooooo that one hurts! Then to add injury to insult, the Knicks won the game too!
But that's not the only licking James is taking. Political activist
Ralph Nader has sent several letters to LeBron asking him to take a stance in support of workers' rights at overseas plants that produce the shoes he endorses. James told Newsday that it isn't his problem.
"No, I haven't responded to it," James said. "But I think Nike's a great company and they would respond if need be."
Ummm ok. We guess $90 million can keep anyone's mouth shut.
Ben Wallace Down with StarburyKeeping on with the Starbury stuff, Chicago Bulls
Ben Wallace has signed on to help endorse Starbury from the shoes to the clothes. Wallace will be the first athlete endorser of the brand and will sport Starbury shoes for the remainder of the season with a signature Wallace Starbury shoe debuting next season.
"What Starbury is all about -- trying to get kids to realize great sneakers and clothes can be affordable and cool -- that's really important and I am looking forward to representing the movement on and off the court," Wallace said.
All the Starbury gear is available at Steve & Barry's stores nationwide. Footwear News, a leading trade magazine, also announced that they've named Starbury the 2006 Footwear Launch of the Year.
Jeter Launches New Shoe for JordanWith baseball now in season, it's time for a new pair of shoes, right? Well, anytime is a good time for a new pair of shoes and
Derek Jeter is hoping you pick his up. Jeter is launching the
Jumpman Jeter Vital shoe, a turf and field training shoe, which will be his seventh shoe since launching his first in 2001.
"Derek Jeter has been with the Jordan Brand family for more than a decade and continues to epitomize our brand by always aspiring to improve, demanding the best from himself while staying true and understanding that winning is always earned," said
Larry Miller, Vice President and General Manager, of Nike Basketball. "The Jumpman Jeter Vital combines the best in shoe technology with odes to Jeter's amazing career and creates a training shoe that will help others reach their athletic goals."
The shoe is even going to glow in the dark! Jeter will be promoting it in an online, print and TV campaign called "Losing hurts more," which has already begun.
Tiger Woods Plans a New JamWe're not sure who Tiger Woods' Tiger Jams are targeted towards, but one thing is for sure, it's not young people. This year Tiger will be celebrating 10 years of the jam that has featured such "veteran" acts like
Don Henley,
Hootie & the Blowfish,
Glenn Frey,
Celine Dion and
John Mellencamp. The few bright spots were
Christina Aguilera in 2000 and
Prince in 2004, but in 2007 it's
Bon Jovi (who performed in 2003's Tiger Jam). The jam will go down on May 26 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
"I am thrilled to mark 10 years of Tiger Jam with Bon Jovi," Woods said. "We always welcome rock legends at Tiger Jam and having Bon Jovi headline is truly an honor. We have a lot to celebrate, so I know it will be an amazing night."
The Tiger Jam benefits the
Tiger Woods Foundation which provides funding for such organizations as Child Haven, Center for Independent Living, Greater Las Vegas Inner City Games, Boys & Girls Club of Las Vegas, GRAMMY in the Schools and The VH1 Save the Music Foundation. In the last 10 years Tiger Jam has raised over $10 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation. Well, if people are getting helped, who cares if the music is wack, right? For more info check out
http://www.tigerjam.com.
Shaq Turns 35Last weekend
Shaquille O'Neal celebrated his 35th year on the planet with style. Even though his birthday was weeks ago on March 6, he had a huge birthday party at Miami's Hard Rock Live thrown by 790 The Ticket and Ocean Drive Media Group.
Ludacris performed for Shaq and his dozens of guests that included Miami Heat
DJ Irie, NFL star
Terrell Owens , Miami Heat owner
Micky Arison, developer
R. Donahue Peebles,
Star Jones Reynolds and Heat players
James Posey,
Gary Payton,
Michael Doleac and
Earl Barron.
As far as retirement? Thats not in Shaq's vocabulary right now. He recently said that he plans to play until his contract expires in 2010 and the see what's up.
