Tag: Nike

WNBA podcast with Michael Roberson: With Clark face of the league race is a forefront discussion

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever scored 20 points and turned the ball over 10 times against the Connecticut Sun in Clark’s WNBA debut at Uncasville CT on Tue May 14, 2024

WNBA podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The signing of Caitlin Clark with the Indiana Fever has raised the subject of race in the WNBA. Clark is the face of the WNBA since she singed. The Las Vegas Aces star player A’ja Wilson said people say it’s not about race, but Wilson insists, it is about race and Wilson said if your a top notch black woman player “maybe that’s something people don’t want to see.”

#2 Wilson added saying no matter how hard she works at it people don’t see the black or minority player as marketable and Wilson said that minority players are still being swept under the rug.

#3 Clark was raising TV ratings when she help lead the Iowa Hawkeyes to back to back championships and the networks and the NCAA and the press who covered her realized that she was the perfect marketing tool. It’s along the lines what Wilson was talking about who wants to listen to a black female player endorsing when they will listen to Caitlin Clark.

#4 Clark matched up against LSU Tigers star Angel Reese who now play for the Chicago Sky. There were discussions that the treatment for Clark a white woman and from the “Heartland of America” compared to Reese and other black players. Michael during that Final Four between Iowa and LSU talk about the differences that you’ve pointed out that was going on at the time between Reese and Clark?

#5 Clark got a deal from Nike for $28 million in endorsements for over eight years it is the largest endorsement contract in women’s basketball. Victoria Jackson a sports historian at Arizona State University said the reason for Clark’s huge contract is a break off into a completely different stratosphere. That anything involving Clark is being questioned.

Michael Roberson covers Stanford Cardinal basketball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a writer for the African American Athlete.

Marvin Bagley III pops up in wiretaps about payments to recruit him to key schools

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Multiple reports have the name of Marvin Bagley III appearing in transcripts of wiretaps that indicate payments were needed to steer him to USC to play his college basketball. The money would have come from an athletic shoe company and would have been funneled through an assistant coach or a “wannabe” agent trying to establish himself in the representation business.

It is very important to note that Bagley III is not a person of interest in the case. He is in no way a subject of the investigation. There is no implication that Bagley III ever knew that any proposed payments were being offered for his services as a college player to align him with a specific shoe company as he transitioned into the NBA.

Marvin Bagley Jr. may be a focus of the investigation. It was reported that the Bagley’s filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008 and appeared to have lost their home in Phoenix to foreclosure. In 2012, the family moved into a very upscale gated community in Southern California while Bagley III enrolled in a very expensive private school.

The implication is that Nike was very kind to Bagley Jr. and his club team Phoenix Phamily in Arizona. High-level AAU club team being supported by apparel companies for travel and shoes etc. is no secret. It has been done in the open for years. The fact that it has bled over to college recruiting is a logical progression.

This investigation is being driven by some junior assistant Federal Prosecutors who have seen the chance to make some big tabloid headlines because some big name basketball stars and their families are involved. This whole situation should be turned over to the NCAA to deal with and adjudicate. The Federal Prosecutors should be concentrating on things like Russian meddling in our elections.

In the meantime, the NBA could help stop this chaos by allowing 18-year old players to enter the draft without having to play a “sham” year at the college level. If the players do not get drafted, let them play in the G-League and develop their skills in the minor leagues like baseball has for years. It’s time for the NBA to step up and pay to develop their talent.

For Kings fans, do not fear. Marvin Bagley III is not going to go to jail. He is an innocent bystander in this situation. Marvin Bagley Jr. may have some legal issues. Only time will tell if he will have to deal with Federal Prosecutors for his actions.

Kings reveal their new Nike uniforms

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Adidas is out … Nike is in as the uniform supplier for the NBA

  • There are no longer traditional home and away uniforms
  • Home teams will decide what uniform they want to wear and the visiting team will then choose a contrasting uniform from their wardrobe to wear
  • The traditional home white uniform is now known as the “Association Edition” while the traditional road uni is now designated as the “Icon Edition”
  • Two more uniform editions per team will be revealed in the fall
  • Eight teams will have a fifth uniform known as a “Classic Edition” that they can wear occasionally (sounds like “throwbacks” to me)

Check out the upper left portion of the uniform opposite the “swoosh” and you will see the Blue Diamond Almond patch. All NBA teams are allowed to have a discreet sponsor logo on their uniforms starting this season. Blue Diamond was one of the first companies to sign up.

  • Each uniform is made of Alpha Yarns and recycled polyester
  • Every uniform represents approximately 20 recycled PET (plastic) bottles
  • The new uniforms will wick sweat faster and dry quicker than the current ones

Start saving up your money. It is time to update your NBA wardrobe. Hmm, I’m thinking I would look good in a number 50 “Z-Bo” jersey with the “SAC” logo. (Just a reminder to my family, friends and colleagues, my birthday is next month).