Nike #WBF – For The Love of The Game

If you didn’t get to catch any of Nike’s #WBF events, Nice Kicks recapped the weekend nicely in this 5 minute video that includes appearances from Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and others.

The Complete Jordan Collection In Carolina Blue

Lavish Livez put together this cool video of the complete Air Jordan collection (I – XXIII) in an all North Carolina blue colorway.  This showcase was put on display in part of New York City’s World Basketball Festival sponsored by Team USA Basketball x Nike x Jordan Brand x Converse.

Nike Sportswear Presents: 1 Love Staten Island

Emilio Sparks and his friends hold it down for Staten Island in the final clip to Nike Sportswear’s 1 Love campaign.  I met the Charlie Rose of Hip Hop a few weeks ago and was a cool ass dude so shouts to him and his team!  Oh yeah, #WBF starts today…

Jay-Z’s “All Black Everything” Nike Air Force 1′s

If you live in New York City, you’ve heard by now that Jay-Z will be performing at tonight’s #WBF opening ceremonies at Radio City.  Along with Jay-Z’s performance, Nike has laced Hov up with his own custom “All Black Everything” Air Force 1′s that are super duper limited.  So limited that there are 5 total Hov x Nike x AF1 designs and there are only 2 of each.  If you’ve passed 1st grade math class then you’ll know that Shawn gets 1 pair and then 5 lucky people will get 1 of the other 5 pairs.

In addition to his performance at Radio City Music Hall, JAY-Z has joined forces with Nike to create an iconic collection of Air Force Ones – the All Black Everything collection inspired by the World Basketball Festival. Nike has donated the shoes to the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation who in turn have linked up with eBay on a charity auction where the five unique pairs will raise funds for its mission to provide financial assistance to promising individuals upon acceptance into any accredited institution of higher learning.

One hundred percent of the funds raised will support the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. The charity auction begins on August the 12, and bidders can visit www.ebay.com/jayznikewbf to enter a bid. Only two pairs of each of the five designs will be created, one for the winning bidder and one for the man behind the design, JAY-Z. The charity auction begins on August 12, at 9:00 a.m. EDT and ends on August 22, at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

WAS Life: Nike’s #WBF Takes Over Radio City Music Hall

8/12/2010

Nike’s #WBF takes over Radio City Music Hall



Nike Air Force 1: Anatomy of an Urban Legend Trailer

The Air Force 1 is not only one of Nike’s most popular sneaker ever but arguably one of history’s most popular sneakers ever.  Above is the trailer to the Anatomy of an Urban Legend documentary on the Nike AF1 that is premiering this weekend at Harlem’s Apollo Theater in part to the World Basketball Festival.

The Air Force 1 is Nike’s best seller and most popular all-time shoe. It evolved from being worn on court in the 1980s into an off-court icon. Even today, almost three decades later, it’s still revered in sneaker culture. Its iconic, timeless design still boasts strong sales around the world to this day. From limited edition styles, to special design collaborations, the style is kept fresh and unexpected with each drop. Nike has helped maintain excitement in the Air Force 1 by introducing over 1700 models with different colorways and material combinations since its birth.

“Air Force 1: The Anatomy of an urban Legend” is a feature-length documentary about Nike’s Air Force 1, a 29-year old basketball shoe turned NYC style staple, turned cultural icon, turned global phenomenon. The film traces the roots of the Air Force 1 and documents its rise, presenting a unique case study in the history of design, sports, and culture.

Nike Sportswear Presents: 1 Love The Bronx & Queens

Nike Sportswear continues its 1 Love 5 borough New York City series with Cory Gunz taking us through The Bronx and Format taking us through Queens.  Young Money’s newest signed artist’s clip is above while the clip of pro BMX rider Nigel Sylvester and his Format lifestyle BMX shop friends are below.  The last video leading up to the start of the World Basketball Festival will star Emilio Sparks and Staten Island.

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Nike & Team USA Basketball Present The World Basketball Festival

You need to read the press release pasted below because Nike (Jordan Brand and Converse as well) and Team USA Basketball are taking basketball to a whole ‘nother level!  Props to FRESHNESSMAG.com for the picture above.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (June 9, 2010) — This summer, five of the world’s best basketball teams and top musical performers will meet throughout New York City for the inaugural World Basketball Festival, a four-day celebration of the performance and culture of the game created by NIKE, Inc. and USA Basketball, that Nike has committed to reprising every two years.

The World Basketball Festival, August 12-15, features basketball’s leading brands within the NIKE Inc. portfolio – Converse, the Jordan Brand, and Nike Basketball.

The World Basketball Festival is a uniquely dynamic event, from the moment it tips off with a showcase featuring members of the 2010 USA Basketball National Team on an open-air court in Times Square, to an unprecedented Times Square concert by a surprise musical act, to the final games of the weekend between four of the best teams in the world at Madison Square Garden.

“The World Basketball Festival will be an unforgettable event for the people of New York City and basketball fans around the world,” said Charlie Denson, Nike Brand President. “Every two years we plan to connect the global world of basketball to celebrate the sport while leaving a lasting legacy within the community.”

From Times Square on August 12, the action moves uptown to New York City’s legendary basketball courts at Rucker Park in Harlem, Friday and Saturday, August 13 and 14.

Rucker Park will be home to open-air practices and scrimmages by National Teams from Brazil and Puerto Rico, and training by France, mixed with performances by top international music acts, in addition to a grassroots youth tournament serving as the championships for some of New York’s top summer basketball leagues. Fans will also be invited to participate in clinics here designed to improve training and basketball skills. The two days at Rucker Park will culminate with a special celebration on Saturday, August 14. Details will be provided closer to the day.

The World Basketball Festival concludes Sunday, August 15 with an exciting exhibition double-header featuring the United States taking on France (1 p.m. EDT) and China meeting Puerto Rico (3:30 p.m. EDT) at famed Madison Square Garden.

The exhibition games are being utilized as part of the teams’ preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey, August 28 to September 12.

“We’re thrilled with the opportunity to bring the energy and excitement of USA Basketball’s Men’s National Team to fans and give them with a way to celebrate their team,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball Chairman. “We are honored to have the opportunity to represent the United States in the FIBA World Championship and I can’t think of a better sendoff for our team than the World Basketball Festival.”

NIKE, Inc. will use the backdrop of the World Basketball Festival to debut the United We Rise initiative as a catalyst to improve communities through basketball. Over the next two years, Nike is partnering with USA Basketball and New York City, in particular the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and the New York City Housing Authority, to support youth programming and the installation and refurbishment of basketball courts at 25 Community Centers throughout New York City.

“Piloting programs with these 25 rec centers in New York City will allow Nike and other partners to create a new and sustainable model that we can bring to other communities in years to come,” added Denson.

Nike is committed to leaving every court it uses throughout the World Basketball Festival in better shape than what it was at the beginning including dedicating the hardwood courts that will be used in Times Square and Rucker Park to locations where courts are still needed in New York City.