Projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick, John Wall recently inked a $25,000,000 deal with Reebok, an arrangement he made public via his Twitter page. The signing of Wall is a huge coup for RBK who have struggled with their basketball identity ever since Allen Iverson's career landed in Detroit and Yao Ming was bitten by the injury bug. Since his Twitter announcement, Wall has been photographed at the Washington Wizards' pre-draft workouts rocking a pair of Kentucky Blue / White Reebok ZigTech Slash basketball kicks. Labelled the 'energy drink for your feet', Reebok's new Zig technology is a notable energy return system that is based in the sole's construction. With Wall, Reebok's basketball division is back, in a big way, whether or not the dynamic guard is taken first in the 2010 Draft. Hoping that Wall becomes the second coming of Iverson, he will be wearing Reebok's ZigTech Slash throughout the 2010/11 season, which will hit US retailers on October 15th.
Images: courtesy of Dime and Business Wire
PRESS RELEASE
REEBOK HITS IT BIG ON WALL STREET
Brand Partners with Projected #1 Draft Pick John Wall to Support Its ZigTech Performance Collection
Wall's Signing Marks ZigTech's Foray from Training to Competition
CANTON, Mass. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In June 2007, a relatively unknown North Carolina high school student named John Wall first "signed" with Reebok...Wall signed up to be part of Reebok's prestigious Break Out Camp and the brand saw his amazing potential. Today, Reebok takes that signature to a whole new level by inking a multi-year global endorsement deal with the 19 year old projected # 1 draft pick. A University of Kentucky superstar point guard, Wall will support Reebok's ZigTech performance collection and will be the first to wear the technology on court.
Continuing his legacy with the brand, Wall said "Reebok believed in me when no one else did. And now, I believe in them and the new technology they have to offer me as a player."
"This partnership could not come at a better time for Reebok," said Reebok's President Uli Becker. "After a hugely successful launch of our ZigTech training footwear collection, we wanted to extend our technology into new categories. There is no better athlete in the world to debut our ZigTech on-court footwear than the bold, energetic and exciting John Wall."
"John is a unique player who has a huge cultural influence that separates him from the pack," said Reebok Head of Sports and Entertainment Marketing, Todd Krinsky. "He has a distinct swagger on the court and an aspirational style and flair off the court. John's individualism and energy make him the perfect fit for the Reebok brand."
Igniting Reebok's basketball business globally, Wall will be the premier athlete to wear ZigTech footwear not only for training, but also for competition. The first ZigTech basketball shoe, ZigTech Slash, hits stores nationwide October 15th.
"I'm excited to debut Reebok's Zig Slash basketball shoe on the court," said Wall. "I've been training in Zigs and the extra energy the shoes give me is like nothing I have ever felt before."
Reebok's ZigTech collection is designed to give more energy to the best athletes in the world. Wall joins other marquis members of the Reebok family who train in ZigTech footwear including NFL stars Peyton Manning, Chad Ocho Cinco and DeMarcus Ware, NHL greats Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, MLB phenoms Tim Lincecum and David Ortiz, soccer standout Thierry Henry, champion driver Lewis Hamilton, and many more.
Reebok will feature John Wall in its newest ZigTech television ad, debuting during the 2010 NBA Draft on June 24th on ESPN. In addition, Wall will be heavily featured in ZigTech advertising throughout fall and winter 2010 on TV, online and in key print publications.
Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Canton, MA, USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of sports, fitness and casual footwear, apparel equipment. A subsidiary of adidas Group, the company operates under the multiple divisions of the Reebok brand, Reebok-CCM Hockey and the Sports Licensed Division. For more information, visit Reebok are www.reebok.com and www.reebok.com/women.
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