PUMA is making a comeback in the basketball world.
Back in 1998, PUMA signed future superstar Vince Carter to an endorsement deal and at the time it seemed like a blossoming partnership. Later on, Vince left PUMA to join Nike and the rest was history.
Since then, PUMA hasn’t been relevant in the sport of basketball, well, until now.
Recently, the brand has announced that they are going full force to establish a presence in the international sport signing NBA Draft prospects, DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Michael Porter Jr. and Zhaire Smith to endorsement deals.
These are the kinds of players that could eventually have their own signature shoe from giants like Nike & Adidas, but PUMA swooped in and gave them all offers that they obviously could not refuse.
But wait, there’s something even bigger.
They were able to make Jay-Z the Creative Director of PUMA Hoops. Yes, that’s right, Hova himself, as well as sign Roc Nation Sports athlete and NBA veteran Rudy Gay to a deal.
(Instagram says ‘President’ but since then PUMA has clarified that he will be the creative director, NOT the ‘President’)
I still haven’t wrapped my head around that.
They are going all in on the 2018 draft class and rightfully so, this class could be legendary in a few years.
Just a few days ago PUMA debuted their first basketball shoe to the world in the Clyde Court Disrupt, which is set to release October 1. The shoe features some of PUMA’s newest technology compiled in an old-school look that only PUMA could pull off.
See for yourself.
I’m excited to see what else they roll out in the near future and what they decide to do with their newly acquired partnerships.
Written by Christopher Schweitzer
Beasley Media Group Inc.