Dwyane Wade, Converse, and College Basketball

[MilTown]

This is all about money. Crean would probably switch to British Knights or La Gear if the deal was right. I don't blame him one bit. I think the thought that our shoe and uniform contract has an impact our recruiting is a giagantic stretch. Every major conference school has a sweet deal with nike, rbk, addida's etc. I don't think that would even factor into a decesion for a recruit. This is all about money for all parties involved.

[herboturbo]

I doubt we'd be going back to L.A. Gear again after the debacle from years ago, even if they did still exist

[Gilsonky]

Wow thanks for the info, I guess I should have looked around some more before I started all of this.  By the way, what was the deal with LA Gear?

[herboturbo]

When we were an L.A. Gear team in the 90's one of our players shoes blew up while he was running down the court on national tv.  I think there were other problems involved as well.  Maybe someone else remembers more of the story than I can. 

[dwaderoy2004]

"Aware that fashionable men's athletic shoes would not generate profits, the company decided to branch into the men's technical shoe market with the introduction of the Catapult basketball shoe in 1991. The $100 Catapult, which featured a fiberglass and graphite heel supporting an air cushion, was marketed without the L.A. Gear brand name to 'distance Catapult from L.A. Gear's young, low-price image,' creative director Michael Albright told Advertising Age. As part of its new strategy, the company chose a more typical endorser: Karl Malone, a Utah Jazz basketball star. Unfortunately, problems with product quality interfered with initial sales. After the company outfitted a Marquette University basketball team in Catapult shoes, one player tripped on his shoe sole as it peeled off during a televised game. The company reported that it was working to improve the shoes' quality and the university team continued wearing the shoes."

www.answers.com/topic/l-a-gear-inc

[StillAWarrior]

"Aware that fashionable men's athletic shoes would not generate profits, the company decided to branch into the men's technical shoe market with the introduction of the Catapult basketball shoe in 1991. The $100 Catapult, which featured a fiberglass and graphite heel supporting an air cushion, was marketed without the L.A. Gear brand name to 'distance Catapult from L.A. Gear's young, low-price image,' creative director Michael Albright told Advertising Age. As part of its new strategy, the company chose a more typical endorser: Karl Malone, a Utah Jazz basketball star. Unfortunately, problems with product quality interfered with initial sales. After the company outfitted a Marquette University basketball team in Catapult shoes, one player tripped on his shoe sole as it peeled off during a televised game. The company reported that it was working to improve the shoes' quality and the university team continued wearing the shoes."

www.answers.com/topic/l-a-gear-inc

I remember it well.  Logterman, wasn't it?  He tripped on the shoe, and then because his foot was sweaty, he kept slipping when he got up.  It was classic.  However, the above quote says that the university team continued wearing the shoes.  Is that correct?  I thought they quickly changed brands after that.

[herboturbo]

I thought they changed as quickly as possible as well.  But let me tell you, I owned a pair of those beauties back in the day, and they were they worst basketball shoe I've ever worn.  I dont even think I got through a couple games before I took them back.