Nike agrees licensing partnership with Black Fives
Early history of African Americans in basketball promoter Black Fives, Inc., has granted a multi-year trademark license to Nike, Inc. for it to launch a new product line celebrating the all-black basketball teams that played during the Black Fives Era, the period prior to the racial integration of the sport in the late-1940s.
The Legacy of Inspiration Collection by Nike includes premium retro sneakers, apparel, and accessories and will be available from October 15. Ten shoe styles will be released in 2006.
The line features designs representing the New York Renaissance (Rens), Alpha Physical Culture Club and Smart Set Athletic Club of Brooklyn. Nike will unveil additional team footwear and apparel in 2007.
Nike executive Keith Houlemard said, "To translate the essence of the Black Fives Era into a modern day style, we studied every detail.” For example, Nike matched the quilted texture of vintage basketball kneepads worn by the Rens in the inner lining of some sneaker styles.
The license includes appearances by 91-year-old John "Boy Wonder" Isaacs, a player from the Black Fives Era. Isaacs won World Pro Basketball Championships with the New York Rens (1939) and the Washington Bears (1943).
A portion of Nike's sales revenue from this merchandise will go to the Black Fives Foundation, a new charitable organisation that encourages academic achievement and personal growth among children and young adults.
Converse, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike, which provided its sneakers to many teams of the Black Fives Era, will also utilise the license for Black Fives merchandise and initiatives planned to help celebrate its 100th birthday in 2008.
