When Dwyane Wade stepped onto the front of Kaseya Center on Oct. 27, anticipation filled the air. The 3x NBA champion was set to unveil a statue honoring his legacy, but the excitement took a hit when fans saw the bronze likeness. The statue, while impressive, didn’t exactly capture Wade’s true appearance. However, Wade himself had no complaints. “I was just like, ‘That’s beautiful,’” the Heat legend remarked, clearly satisfied with the 8-foot tribute.

Sculptors Omri Amrany and Oscar León worked closely with Wade, making sure he had a hand in the design. According to León, the statue is filled with Easter eggs, like his mother’s name on the left shoe heel and his father’s on the right. Other personal touches include the phrase “Rest in peace Hank” in memory of his agent and his childhood home’s address on his wristband. Yet, Wade made a few key changes to the final design. For example, the “El Heat” jersey was switched to “Miami,” and more notably, the sneakers were different.

Why Wade changed his sneakers in the statue

The reason for Wade’s change in jersey is likely symbolic, reflecting his deeper connection with the Miami Heat. But when it comes to the sneakers, there’s a bigger story. The statue is based on Wade’s iconic “This is my house” game-winner from March 9, 2009. Back then, Wade sported Converse Wade 4s, as he had a deal with Converse. However, for the statue, Wade opted to go with the Way of Wade 7s, his current signature shoe. Why?

Wade’s fallout with Converse seems rooted in financial disagreements. On his podcast, The Why With the Wade, he explained, “Nike, Converse, Jordan, they’ve been pro-rating you… I lost 2.4 million dollars, both the years in a row.” The contract required Wade to play a certain number of games to avoid losing money. This understandably didn’t sit well with the star, especially after missing games due to injuries.

After parting ways with Converse, Wade signed with Jordan in 2009 before securing a lucrative deal with Li-Ning in 2012. While the pro-rating policy was a significant factor in his decision to leave Converse, it wasn’t the only one.

Why he left Converse?

Converse has long been a staple in the NBA, dating back to the 1950s. When they signed Dwyane Wade in 2005, it seemed like a perfect fit. But for Wade, the feeling wasn’t mutual for long. According to a report from CNBC, Wade opened up about why he left the brand: “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 was looking for more than just a shoe deal—he wanted a global platform, something Converse couldn’t provide at the time.

Interestingly, Wade’s first signature shoe with Converse, the Wade 1, was a massive hit. But the success didn’t last. The Wade 2 and Wade 3 didn’t resonate with consumers, and things took a turn when Wade refused to wear the uncomfortable Wade 4, sparking controversy. By 2009, Wade had switched to the Jordan brand, hoping for a better fit, but left for the same reason: “pro-rating.” Like Converse, Jordan had clauses that reduced his earnings if he didn’t play enough games.

In 2012, Dwyane Wade made headlines by signing a massive $10 million deal with the Chinese brand Li-Ning. This partnership went beyond footwear, as Wade became the chief brand officer and launched his own line, Way of Wade. With over 7,000 stores across Asia, Li-Ning provided Wade the global reach he had always sought.

As Wade’s career evolved, so did his sneakers. Each new model, from his early Converse days to his Way of Wade line, marked a different chapter in his journey—from a young star to a seasoned NBA legend.

Wade releases special “This Is My Home” sneakers

To mark the special moment, Li-Ning has rolled out a unique version of the Way of Wade 11 sneakers. In a heartfelt message to his fans, Wade expressed his gratitude and excitement. “To the city that shaped me and all my fans around the world, welcome to the next chapter of my journey, the Li-Ning Way of Wade 11 ‘Statue,’ where innovation meets legacy,” read a portion of the announcement.

Released in June, the Way of Wade 11 sneakers made an impact, but this special edition takes it up a notch. True to Wade’s style of blending design with storytelling, the ‘Statue’ edition features a clean white-creamy color palette, accented by miniature black dots along the collar and outsole. Only the vamp and laces break away from this design with a satin-like finish, giving the shoe a sleek look.

Additionally, the sneaker box has fans buzzing. The box itself opens in three sections, with a large D-Wade artwork gracing the front. The left panel also lists some of Dwyane Wade’s greatest career moments, making it a perfect tribute to the Miami Heat icon.

“This release is more than a celebration; it’s a reminder that dreams start somewhere,” the post continued.