Dwyane Wade is getting out of his Converse deal and is joining Nike’s Jordan Brand. He will join the likes of CP3, ‘Melo and Jeter as a Jumpman endorser.
Wade signed a $400,000 deal with Converse which was suppose to run through the 2011-12 season. “I didn’t want to be in the Converse brand anymore because it seemed like they didn’t know what to do with me,” Wade told The AP. Wade often times last season did not were the new “Wade 4″ but rather opted to wear older versions of his signature shoe. The disconnect was evident.
Nike agreed to allow Wade out of his deal and that the switch made sense. For those unaware Nike is the parent company of Converse.
This might be the final straw for the lagging Converse basketball brand. Although the Chuck Taylor All-Star brand might never be allowed to completely go away with Nike’s deep pockets; having a successful basketball brand is going to take more than a shoe first produced in 1917.
The Wade was really all Converse had going for them within their basketball division and it seems like Nike has given up. It is going to take a major revitalization for Converse to become relevant again in the basketball world.
Wade leaving Converse, going to Nike Jordan Brand [Miami Herald]
