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The Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade is changing his preferred shoe brand from Converse to Nike's Jordan brand, after announcing the deal last week.
The NBA superstar will now rep the Jumpman brand, alongside other athletes such as Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Derek Jeter.
According to the Associated Press, Wade had three years remaining on his deal with Converse, which had him as the centerpiece of its attempt to reinvigorate the company's once-thriving basketball business. However, the relationship between Wade and the company hasn't always been a walk in the park. Last season, he was rarely seen wearing his most recently released signature shoe, the "Wade 4," favoring an older model instead.
"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. "I want to go global. It's something I feel like I have to do. I want to continue to build my brand."
The Jordan Brand is a 12-year-old division of Nike, which also owns Converse, and seems to be the right fit for the ambitious Wade.
"I grew up on the south side of Chicago idolizing Michael Jordan and have worked hard to achieve the same success that he's had on the court," Wade said. "I have enormous respect for this brand."
Likewise, Michael Jordan feels the same to have him on board. "I'm thrilled to have Dwyane Wade join the Team Jordan family," Jordan said.
The details surrounding the deal were not released. However, it's believed that the new deal, at minimum, matches the remaining three years on the Converse contract.
There's no word on when Wade's first Jordan Brand shoe will hit stores.
Wade's endorsement resume also includes T-Mobile and Gatorade.
Wade signed with Converse as a rookie back in 2003, right before Nike bought the brand. His deal ran until 2011-12.
The NBA superstar will now rep the Jumpman brand, alongside other athletes such as Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Derek Jeter.
According to the Associated Press, Wade had three years remaining on his deal with Converse, which had him as the centerpiece of its attempt to reinvigorate the company's once-thriving basketball business. However, the relationship between Wade and the company hasn't always been a walk in the park. Last season, he was rarely seen wearing his most recently released signature shoe, the "Wade 4," favoring an older model instead.
"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. "I want to go global. It's something I feel like I have to do. I want to continue to build my brand."
The Jordan Brand is a 12-year-old division of Nike, which also owns Converse, and seems to be the right fit for the ambitious Wade.
"I grew up on the south side of Chicago idolizing Michael Jordan and have worked hard to achieve the same success that he's had on the court," Wade said. "I have enormous respect for this brand."
Likewise, Michael Jordan feels the same to have him on board. "I'm thrilled to have Dwyane Wade join the Team Jordan family," Jordan said.
The details surrounding the deal were not released. However, it's believed that the new deal, at minimum, matches the remaining three years on the Converse contract.
There's no word on when Wade's first Jordan Brand shoe will hit stores.
Wade's endorsement resume also includes T-Mobile and Gatorade.
Wade signed with Converse as a rookie back in 2003, right before Nike bought the brand. His deal ran until 2011-12.
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