Allen Iverson was basically the face of Reebok from 1996 until the mid-2000s, and they were still putting out new Iverson sneakers (not re-issues) until 2009. There was a period of time where every family within the city limits of Philadelphia had at least one pair of these in the house, and to this day, Iverson (along with Shaq) is probably the one athlete most affiliated with Reebok in people’s minds. That is why Iverson’s lawyer made a whole fuss over those Nike shoes above.
According to the Associated Press, those Nike sneakers — part of the Zoom Flight ’96 collection — will no longer be released. Nice Kicks described the shoe as an “imagined Allen Iverson PE of the classic 1996 hoops shoe, featuring a 76ers color palette of blue nubuck with red and white accents … a speckled midsole, ice clear outsole and AI’s #3 on each heel.” Iverson’s lawyer described the shoe as an unauthorized use of Iverson’s identity, likeness, and persona. Nike says the shoe will still come out, but in “other color schemes” and presumably without the #3 on the back. If you’re really dying for an Iverson sneaker though, there are always the old stand-bys.
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Monday called…
Dey r fresh kicks yo
He should have just struck a deal to get a cut. He definitely needs the money.
Those Nikes above are constucted very poorly. Off center 3 on the left. Skewed 3 on the right. The sole is uneven from the front. They’re basically shit that were more than likely built by a child making $1 per day.
Wouldn’t wear these if I got them for free.
They’re pretty ugly anyway. The AI’s you linked too are hideous. The good AI’s were the first one’s with the red or blue tips…looked like Reebok Classics…solid shoe.
The best non-Jordan shoe from back in the day will always be the first Penny Hardaways though. I’d rock them now if I could.
Never forget the Fila Jerry Stackhouses. Never. Forget.
FACE
Thanks for this article, Jim “day late and a dollar short” Adair.
I win again.
Thanks for finally writing about > Nike Pulls Psuedo-Iverson Sneakers after
A.I.