How Nike Lost Wade With ONE SENTENCE

Nike and Jordan lost Dwyane Wade, now he’s one of their biggest rivals.
Dwayne Wade is considered by many to be the third best shooting guard of all time, and in 2023, has one of the most popular shoes in the world, the Way of Wade.
There are only 4 NBA players in history with life time shoe deals. It’s a list so exclusive that Stephen Curry who helped make Under Armour a billion dollar business doesn’t have one. The 4 are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and now Dwyane Wade.
While Wade might have been the 5th overall pick in the 2003 draft class that included LeBron, Carmelo, and Bosh, he wasn’t really on the radar for a long time.
7 players from Wade’s AAU team were picked for the Nike camp. Wade thought he was a shoe in, he packed his bags, and was ready to go, but on the day of the camp, he found out, he wasn’t one of them. But that wasn’t the worst part and I’ll let Wade explain.
In high school, Wade was only the 101st ranked player in his class. Just barely in scout’s minds.
He wasn’t really recruited by many D1 schools except Marquette.
In that 2003 summer before the draft, Wade saw LeBron get a $90 million shoe deal with Nike before he had played a single game, but ok that’s the chosen one. Carmelo who also was a college star signed a 6 year $21 million deal with Jordan.
**And so Wade was perfectly in line and Nike still didn’t offer him*. Adidas completely passed up on him, yeah they didn’t fully trust Wade the same way they were willing to throw millions at other players. And so Dwyane Wade, rejected for a second time, signed with Converse, one of Nike’s brands, for $400,000 a year, a lot of money but less than 20% of Melo. It was the same rejection he had experienced 4 years earlier.
*But that would be a big mistake both in the short term and long term, but let’s talk about* the immediate impact because of all the players in this draft class out of all the future stars Wade would be the first to achieve the pinnacle.
You see, that rejection in high school had never really left Wade’s mind.
While LeBron would win rookie of the year, Wade would average 16 in his first season, then 24 in his second season becoming an All-Star and leading his team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Yeah in his second season, he was averaging 27.4 points and 6.6 assists in the playoffs, leading the #1 team in the EAST in the Converse ICON PEs.
In that summer, converse would release his first signature shoe, the Converse Wade 1, selling 1 million pairs globally.
And in 2006, Wade would average 27 and 6.7 and take the Heat to the finals. The Flash was crossing everyone, no one could keep him in front. And the Mavericks tried their best, but Wade would average 34.7 points, come back from down 2-0, and win the finals. I mean god.
Just like the Jordan brand was Nike’s biggest line that saved the brand and eventually became a brand under Nike and Li-Ning offered Wade just that with the Way of Wade, giving him full creative freedom for the shoe too and getting some ownership stake along with $60 million over 10 years.
And in China there was a problem. Kids who wanted affordable would by Anta or Peak, people who could afford more would get Nikes. Li-Ning was at crossroads, on the verge of collapse, but were hell bent on surviving, something Wade appreciated. They would raise more funds, open more stores, put everything into the Wade brand, it was the only focus, a long cry from high school where Nike wouldn’t even invite him or think about him when he was drafted or the Jordan brand who tried but couldn’t compete with other athletes among the bigger brand like LeBron or Kobe.
2018 is when there was a big change, 6 years later. Li Ning had been opening stores through out China and they shifted their model to also focus on life style and streetwear, using Wade and other stars at the forefront. They got a new CEO who was on the board of the company that owns Uniqlo. Li Ning was building and Wade’s brand was about to take off even more.
In 2019, they would grow over 30%.
In 2021, Li Ning would launch their US web store, coupled with their growing popularity internationally would grow their footwear 50% in one year. The Way of Wade brand would sign D’Angelo Russell, then Jimmy Butler, Cj McCollum, Fred VanVleet, just like Jordan. Safe to say Wade’s stake value in the company is worth a whole lot more now.
Now Way of Wade still isn’t in US retail stores, on their 11th version but even then they are expensive in the resale market. People want these because of how good they are, getting the seal of approval from many reviewers and hoopers. *And that’s led customers switching from Nike.*
From wanting to be a Nike athlete to being a strong competitor, alright Wade.

[@mj2kallday]

Have you tried Wade's shoes? Hoopers only

[@Tappot_]

they’re soooooo good bro, I play volleyball and basketball and they r the perfect shoes for both

[@ernestodelacruzjr.5715]

Yes.they are cheaper and better than Nike's

[@Jimyjonson]

hell naw

[@treyhunna]

hn twin they look tuff tho

[@bruyeretv]

Yeah I had the Converse Wade 1 from like 2005

[@kinguman308]

Seems like Nike loses a lot of superstars with just one word

[@shangski6934]

biggest is the one in your profile

[@randomreacts4931]

Gay?

[@shawtyeatemup1352]

Is it the N-word cuh 🤔🤔

[@380Ken]

How u forget D.Rose got a lifetime deal with Adidas

[@ImpalaZay]

Iverson too if I’m not mistaking

[@alexlarsen2464]

False he signed 15 yr deal

[@mauriciocaviedes4552]

Iverson recieves annaully half million, for his entire life, by Reebok. I don´t know is that implies a life time deal.

[@marquidusmallory7554]

Since you say it like that🤔​@@mauriciocaviedes4552

[@Vichinsky-ox8px]

It's a shame D rose never releases sneakers

[@dipper5835]

People aren't even buying WoW for its name, li ning has been genuinely killing it with its performances

[@RavinManiac]

Exactly. Not a big DWade fan, but his shoes are dope performance-wise

[@theunpopularvic636]

facts

[@josapathlapiz4722]

esp. in countries like me where outdoor hooping is the norm. No other brand gives the same quality as they do for outdoor courts

[@mackman3294]

@@RavinManiac speak for yourself not a true statement maybe you not but most are including me, it is a combo of both great product and name recognition stop hating on the man

[@RavinManiac]

@mackman3294 not hating. You can not be a fan and still appreciate his greatness. That can happen

[@Blackmagic404]

Can’t forget about Iverson’s lifetime deal with Reebok. He’s still getting $800k per year off of that deal now

[@HunnidGorillaxSAVAGE]

Plus him and shaq owns the company

[@kcflat8320]

They head their basketball department, not the entirety of Reebok​@@HunnidGorillaxSAVAGE

[@Brqinstorm]

@@HunnidGorillaxSAVAGE They don't own reebok. They're president and vice president of the basketball operation. Get your facts straight. And don't spread your misinformation.

[@DeanDangerousTDD7]

Is it not obvious to yhall that (MJ2kALLDAY) left out D. Rose & Iverson's deals on purpose. Those 2 players don't fit into the agenda that this channel is supposed to be pushing for CorporateMainSreamMedia. American Intermediary Documentary 09/03/2024

[@rapsilog4111]

Nike need to re-evaluate their employees because of messed up the past 20 yrs. Latest would be losing Antman to Adidas.

[@csl9495]

Wades first nba championship playoff year was awesome. I remember watching hiw a switch went off in him and his facial expression even changed, like a calm took over him.

[@ellismcdaniels4212]

Just got my first pair of WoW's 2 weeks ago. The All City Origin's, and I kid you not, I didn't feel any pain after playing 3 hours. Normally after jumping and taking off as much as I do for volleyball, I hurt the next day. Hips and knees felt amazing! Ankles weren't even sore in the slightest, and I'm a 33 year old baller.

[@manzialvinthierry]

you are wrong steph have lifetime business with underamor man

[@alexlarsen2464]

11 years

[@superchargerplays7871]

bro i forgot about u i use to watch u all time love u da G keep grindin

[@theendisnigh4497]

Injuries kept Wade from being a top 10 player all time idc

[@nathanielcasanova8728]

If lebron and kobe didnt exist Wade wouldve been the face of the league back then unfortunately its a popularity contest thats why a lot of great players were being ignored just like Tim Duncan, Dirk

[@nathanielcasanova8728]

no matter how great a player was, if he's not marketable, the nba wouldn't do anything for them

[@ab-15188]

Chinese brand treat American better than American brand themselves

[@Mr_Mack88]

Allen Iverson has a lifetime shoe deal with Rebook, even though he is one of the assistant managers over the company with Shaq. I think he still has that lifetime contract with the company, so he won’t never be broke as long as he’s alive and retired from balling.

[@tonywong8134]

11:24 Baron Davies LOL

[@andreamicucci2396]

Bro you beat me to it 😂😂

[@racanelv]

Wrong Allen Iverson has a lifetime contract

[@kenv2667]

all Nike shoes, as in all, is behind Wade Shoes. Li-Ning is leading in terms of shoes' performance. But of course, Nike has the name, so that's hard to beat

[@joemacch6284]

Best basketball shoe in the world Way Of Wade 10. I thought Li-Ning was a joke. Buttttt then they created Boom foam and eventually create what some consider the Goat shoe. WOW 10…real talk. Incredible.

[@Blackandwhite082]

During his prime no one can stop Dwyane Wade. He's unstoppable

[@niio2076]

Allen Iverson has a lifetime deal with Reebok

[@nicholasmarch7058]

No he doesn't

[@TheTravelingTrader]

10:10 that is not a Jordan 11, wtf? lol.

[@mikemiddaugh7610]

Lmao 🤣🤣🤣 Baron Davies!!! 🤣🤷 Ummm isn't it Davis?!?

[@davidpegueros3]

I just a couple of people hooping with some WOW 10 and WOW ultra v2s this past weekend. I used to own the converse wades back in the day

[@kjag23]

It seems like these stories of Nike essentially dropping the ball on athletes are becoming more and more.

[@davidedwards4088]

This is inspirin! I never knew the whole story until this video. Thank you.

[@almadeunrebel]

he said Nike lost out on Billions, lol. D Wade ain’t selling over 8M pairs of sneakers

[@josapathlapiz4722]

Yeah when I got my foot inside the Way of Wade 10, I never bought any Nike shoe ever again

[@MadSUPANOVA]

Gave his Li Ning 1st version Fission a try. Right out the box it was comfortable filled with padding around ankles tongue... just comfortable - grippy.

[@Arihiroki_LG]

Wade joined Li Ning was based in chicago & Becuase of Baron davis & evan turner, They made some hot kicks then took huge part of market back to mainland china

[@MrBoost96]

Great content man, well done research too;don't forget iverson has a lifetime deal too

[@UMPride9NCs]

I've never seen anyone wearing D. Wade's shoes

[@johnombati188]

If u don’t hoop just say that

[@Vichinsky-ox8px]

​@@johnombati188 I have never seen someone where Wade's shoe

[@IblewuponyourfaceIII]

Once in 2007 lmao a friend only got them cause I helped him save money & use that money to buy Wade’s Converse shoes.

[@wz-fv2ix]

@@johnombati188JUST CHINA, not relevant anywhere in the world

[@EzPeazyLemonSqueezy]

coz you're not from China 🤣

[@gilangfajar2841]

I think even with Wade on Nike's signature line up, Nike marketing will never elevate his signature to global market, they didn't put the best tech, or even price. Nike always start cheap and low tech for new signature comer. In the other hand, Li-Ning always gave Wade line the best tech and the best product possible with reasonable pricing.

[@markanthonycalvara6254]

Bro needs thorough research about his vlogs

[@cappy2282]

Nike doesn't know how to make a pair of shoes without huge swoosh on side. They build the whole shoe around swoosh patch

[@gorgistanojevik3196]

I mean it's their multibillion brand logo but I see what you're getting at

[@cappy2282]

@@gorgistanojevik3196 Ya I understand them wanting to get the logo out there but I've seen so many shoes ruined by giant swoosh on side. Such thing as overexposure and I do my best to avoid the brand. I will buy Jordans tho (The Jumpman is usually relatively discreet)

[@markoi.83]

Because sheeple buy them for that swoosh. "Checks over stripes" ...which is dumb...

[@cappy2282]

@@gorgistanojevik3196 I understand they gotta promote but the swoosh on everything is lame. (Overexposure) I'll wear Jordan (shoes) and try to avoid everything with swoosh

[@matthewjohnson8117]

Jordan, Lebron, and KD are only Nike lifetime contracts. You forgot Iverson

[@Nat_Turner10_8]

Wade has been overlooked and underrated his entire career

[@Justin_Watson23]

Good for Wade. He should put his professional energy into that. Doesn't seem like calling games is necessarily his thing.

[@anthonyphillips8393]

The Son of Flash is DOPE!!!

[@KeYzusChrist]

“Baron Davies “ 😂 11:25

[@latenightshift1602]

Thought Iverson had a lifetime deal with Reebok

[@mypeople1stwilliam]

Shoes still not global. I never seen a pair in person or on any store shelf. China loves the W.O.W shoes. The population is huge. Unit get sold that way.

[@IblewuponyourfaceIII]

Nike didn’t lose Wade, both Jordan & Converse is owned by Nike. Nike bought Converse in 2003 for $300 Million. Now Converse is worth around $2 Billion.

[@TheDundeal]

All 3 lost him lol

[@Aceito48212]

How didn’t they lose Wade if he eventually left converse?

[@IblewuponyourfaceIII]

@@Aceito48212 He left Converse for Jordan Brand but not sure where he is now with either of them.

[@smufie_234]

Jordan were owned by nike jordan company is its own now for a few years now

[@IblewuponyourfaceIII]

@@smufie_234 Sorry what? Jordan = Nike, always have been since its inception. Common knowledge. But some people believe that magically Jordan became its own company like Michael somehow convince Nike to just let him own it 😂 which is laughable.

[@philamguambomb]

Literally since October 2023 the only court shoes I wear are Lining & WOW. I love this brand & the quality. 14 pairs of Lining since then. And Counting +. From Fission 8, All city 11, Shudder, Lifen 3, Liren 3 v2, Superlight. Next pairs Fission 9, Liren 4 v2, Gamma😍.

[@kevinsmith4814]

this happened in the tv show survivors remorse. guy got a asian shoe deal and half the stock share in it.

[@ScottySkilz1]

wade still only a top 30 player of all time, maybe top 25. which is still really good

[@dewanewelch1744]

Wade legit.has top 20 case

[@youngsavage9874]

Stop it 😂- Wade atleast top 20

[@Blackandwhite082]

He's a top 15 player of all time 🔥

[@Lo_2xx]

Wade is 20-25

[@williamdavis8855]

😅😂... #3 SG of all time!!

[@user-hg1iz9ob9w]

I remember the college ballers commercial fr converse right? Heinrich, Wade and then there were 2 others

[@dheerajsah]

AI got a lifetime deal with Reebok

[@copacdagod5095]

I've been saying for 5+yrs that Li-Ning WOW looks better than anything Nike & Adidas was putting out. Of they made size 15's they would be my shoe addiction!

[@only_tg5975]

Way of Wade is dropping 🔥after 🔥after 🔥

[@taivo2520]

That 2010 Jordan was my first basketball shoes 😌😌

[@SeizedM0ney]

I need those converse wade 1s to make a comeback

[@peeayy]

Steph curry got 75m in under armor shares in 2023, that could be worth over a billion, and is considered a lifetime deal.

[@buddylove1308]

Nike: "Are you gay?"

[@latte1648]

I'm pretty sure Under Armor was a multi-billion dollar company prior to Steph joining

[@sumeetagarwal6561]

do I live under a rock? never heard of the way of wade brand (not hating, just honestly didn't know about it until now)

[@danielziko7726]

You don’t hoop

[@skalawitz]

Quite a predicament if you think about it. Adidas ignored MJ and now..

[@phrocasso5906]

I haven't tried the way of wade yet, hopefully they are wide foot friendly. His adidas shoes though, great shoe. The one with circle joint at the front

[@lettucetomatoonion]

Just to argue D-Wade or Dr. J for that three spot? Either way Hondo has to be in the top five.

[@sirfrescobar4830]

Both forwards

[@AlxndrHQ]

It’s actually crazy how many times Nike has fumbled recently

[@edengardenlabs7773]

Selling your soul and the manhood of your kid might get you a great shoe deal but it ain't worth the price

[@potatoman305]

When I'm in a making things all competition and @edengardenlabs7773 is opponent: 😱

[@ErickRey1]

Nice Video Ad for the Chinesse Company MJ!!!

[@bygeorgehemayberite8385]

1. Wade left Jordan Brand b/c he wanted to carve his own path. Nike didn’t fumble the bag, he took advantage of a company desperate to break into the U.S market & gave Wade the world, including giving him equity stake, and making him a CBO. 2. MJ, LBJ, KD, Curry, & Allen Iverson have life time shoe contracts with their respective companies. 3. Li-Ning has a low global market share. Lol. They are getting bodied in their own country by Anta. Li Ning currently has only a 10.3% market share in China alone. 4. It was a good move for Wade & a good move for Nike. The real fumble on Nike’s part was Steph Curry since he was a Nike athlete, wanted to be a Nike athlete, f’d up his presentation, & he gave them another opportunity & they passed. Ant wanted to be his own man, & Wade wanted his own thing. Steph is the real fumble.

[@robocop581]

FYI, Anta has 10.2% market share in China, Li Ning 10.1% in 2023. That's being bodied?

[@bygeorgehemayberite8385]

@@robocop581 The video provided a Kicks Crew graphic vs. the actual statistical analysis graphic. There’s a reason Kicks Crew graphic is providing slanted numbers that do not support actual data. Right now, The global market share is: Nike (27%) Skechers (10%) Jordan (9%) Under Armour (9%) Adidas (7%) Asics (6%) Hoka (6%) NB (5%) Puma (5%) Saucony (5%) In China Nike is #1, Anta #2, Li Ning #3 So when I said bodied, I’m referring to Li Ning is not even #1 in its own country, that’s Anta. Kicks Crew is a resale platform, so they’ve probably seen an increase in interest in the Chinese brands using their platform in sales, but that’s not their market share in totality.

[@CantrellMosley1]

I’m GLAD players don’t choose Nike now. Nike gets high on their high horse.

[@hezzi3283]

Took one Guy who didn't win till he joined Wade and one who didn't win at all

[@darrylhudson2182]

Iverson had a lifetime deal as well.

[@bryceoutten5088]

I thought D Rose and AI had lifetime deals too

[@user-vl3op8jo9o]

I never owned a pair of li-Ning but every person I know that had a pair says it’s a really good hoop shoe

[@brentonst.martin4125]

You come back from being down 0-2 not 2-0.

[@giovannichavez1709]

So iverson not life time huh

[@iradhill81]

I thought Iverson had a lifetime deal too

[@LevitheLegend]

You forgot Allen Iverson deal with Reebok

[@hiteshkdj]

Rinse & repeat product cycles for large companies like Nike 😵‍💫

[@SC2_WARRIORS]

I just wish if baseball shoes were affordable so people could buy them more often.

[@matthewtom4685]

Allen Iverson has a lifetime deal with Reebok too.

[@ernestholloway9436]

I wouldnt wear anything he wears. D lost me as a fan.

[@pw5391]

how did KD get a lifetime shoe deal over Curry 🤣😂

[@anthonyw895]

Where did you get your sales numbers

[@markcox1263]

And Steph Curry has major stake in under armour and his own brand curry brand and since the debut of the curry 8 Flow under armour Curry brand has sold millions of shoes and now he's got the curry 12 Olympic color way sold out

[@michaelfieldsjr.8060]

Iverson got a lifetime deal.

[@bsimz008]

D.Wade villain arc

[@august6281]

Lining's casual shoes are comportable like Skechers(and cheaper) but not as durable based on my experience. Had 3 shoes may back in 2014. I'm not sure about their quality now. And i haven't tried their signature shoes.

[@stealthgenetix1754]

Wait… wade has a shoe with a market share matching all Nike production. I can’t see that. Nor even remember anyone mention his shoe EVER other reselling or hype beasts or hoopers or even my kids wanting a shoe. Never heard… “gotta get the way of the Wades” heard to believe that one bit

[@jlshine17]

Durant got a lifetime deal?! WHY

[@DaryosBidyosFarming]

Air Jordans still rocks

[@lr5658]

They lost him with boys wear pants.

[@wusumar10]

I guarantee u if he was a knick... We wouldn't have this discussion ( in a bad way) Would u even consider him top 9 guard in NBA history ? I say no

[@MakingPlays23]

Can’t be mad at melo tho he got robbed for rookie of the year

[@rcasagranda]

Don’t DRose and Allen Iverson have lifetime shoe deals as well?

[@boian23]

how about Iverson, with Reebok?

[@Arihiroki_LG]

Nike bought Converse in 03 just so they can sht on Wade lol

[@kenyonangeletti2909]

Boy put the worst Jordan shoe on the cover art🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@StephenTommyCurry30]

No I have tried James Harden shoes and Michael Jordan shoes and Stephen curry shoes

[@isaiahlina3691]

Wade 1 converse + long socks

[@fritzkleinsonbaba389]

Only Dlo is signed in WoW. Other players like jimmy butler are in Li ning brand. Just like Nike & Jordan brand

[@hufinnpuff3068]

Wade's shoes is popular worldwide while showing US market share by brand?

[@41NewVAWE]

Uhhhhm Allen Iverson Rebook deal is lifetime too no?

[@donniet348]

I guess he's starting the nail polish brand for his other son.

[@kevinlu1335]

Calling bullshit on the performance basketball marketshare chart. There is no way Li Ning/WoW has more market share than adidas and Jordan. No way at all. Their stock distribution in retail stores is tiny and not accessible. Higher than average price points already prices out most hoopers. State youe source. Also CJ, Butler, and Fred arent signed to WoW. Theyre signed to Li Ning

[@ReliDoDat]

Yeh they fumbled the bag with Steph too ..

[@JohnnyTheBlackout]

i think wade was with converse

[@PoppaTheeGoat2]

Wade son of flash . Hot white is tuff just brought some last week