In the world of professional sports, an athlete is judged not only by his game but also by his style. In the world of basketball, shoes are the biggest style statement. Hence, basketball players land multi-million dollar deals from sportswear companies to endorse their shoes. An example of this is LeBron James who has been playing in the NBA for 20 seasons and has landed a lifetime deal with Nike estimated to be around a billion dollars.

Not only him but there are many players who have earned substantially huge contracts from sportswear companies. Kyrie Irving, who was a former Nike ambassador, has signed with a Chinese sportswear company called Anta. However, his first signature shoes have raised some eyebrows as they have retailed at a price costlier than LeBron James’s new Nike shoes.

Kyrie’s new shoes are costlier than the LeBron 21s?

In the shoe market, the Kyrie Irving x Anta Shock Wave 5 Pro – Smriti is creating waves. Its design is simple and beautiful, making it suitable for casual wear. The toe design exemplifies craftsmanship, offering a tight and exceptional fit. The heel feature is intended to be comfortable, embracing the form of the foot and reducing friction irritation. Its rubber outsole with an anti-slip tread pattern guarantees a reliable grip on the hardwood and the streets. These sneakers don’t simply look good, they also function well.

The shoe’s inside side is strengthened with PU material, which improves support and wrap-around capabilities. The midsole features nitrogen technology in both the insole and the full-length midsole. This provides excellent responsiveness and cushioning. Midsole stability increases with an exterior TPU support plate, forefoot TPU acceleration plate, arch TPU independent stabilizer, arch carbon fiber stabilizer plate, and upturned rubber outsole. With a retail price of $299.99, these kicks provide an unrivaled combination of elegance, comfort, and performance.

Read More: Which Sneakers Are More Affordable? Nike LeBron NXXT Gen or Kyrie Irving X Anta Shock Wave 5 Pro

Amidst Kyrie Irving’s shoe adventure, NBA icon LeBron James is about to release the Nike LeBron 21. Following a spectacular season in which he became the league’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron’s 21st signature shoe has sparked much interest. Priced at $200, it will carry on the heritage of high-performance basketball shoes. Even though Nike is a more popular and well-known brand, they have priced their shoes $100 less than Irving’s shoes. Will this affect the sales of the Anta Shock Wave 5 Pro? Only time will tell.

What happened to Nike’s deal with Kyrie Irving?

Nike officially ended its long-standing agreement with NBA player Kyrie Irving. This happened following a contentious tweet by the Brooklyn Nets guard. Irving’s endorsement and signature shoe arrangement temporarily halted in November 2022. But when he tweeted a link to a video that included Holocaust denial and conspiracy theories involving Jewish people, Nike terminated his contract. Irving first declined to criticize the picture, but he eventually publicly apologized for his behavior. Despite this, it was rumored that Nike was unlikely to renew the 30-year-old’s trademark shoe agreement beyond the current season.

Irving’s contentious tweet caused a delay in the introduction of the ‘Kyrie 8’, his newest sneaker in the series. They were scheduled to debut in November. Phil Knight, Nike’s co-founder, and chairman, supported the decision to terminate the contract, saying, “Kyrie crossed the line. It’s that easy. So he made certain remarks that we simply couldn’t live with, and that’s why we dissolved the relationship. And it was alright with me.”. Irving’s future in the sneaker market remains unknown but interesting as he navigates the post-Nike phase of his career.

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