Finals MVP Dwyane Wade Starts the Season Wearing a New Ring and a New Shoe: The Converse WADE 1.3
Converse Unveils WADE 1.3 as Wade and the Miami HEAT Begin an NBA Title-Defending Season
NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- October 23, 2006 -- It's good to be in Dwyane Wade's shoes. In the past year, the Miami HEAT guard unveiled his first-ever Converse signature shoe, helped win the NBA championship title, took home the Finals MVP trophy and was a tri-captain for the USA Basketball team at the World Championship of Basketball in Asia. Converse and Wade hope to start a similar path for the 2006-2007 season by once again launching a new performance basketball shoe bearing his name.
As the Miami HEAT open their title-defending season on October 31 against the Chicago Bulls, Wade will take the court wearing the Converse WADE 1.3 -- a new signature shoe that improves upon the performance and comfort of the original WADE shoe Converse launched last year.
"The excitement coming into this season is seeing if we can do it all again. I always hope to play better than the year before and continue to improve my game. Last year we launched my first-ever signature shoe, and this season we've improved the original and created the WADE 1.3. Converse is working with me to build on something good and make it better," said Dwyane Wade. "The WADE 1.3 is sleek and understated like my first shoe, but it features new design elements and details specific to last season and my life off the court."
FOR B-ROLL, INTERVIEWS, AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION VISIT
http://www.onthescene.com/mnr/converse/wade_31.htm
The Miami HEAT will receive their NBA Championship rings at the season opener at American Airlines Arena. For that game only, Wade will wear a special, limited edition black/gold colorway. The sockliner of the shoe reads "Any More Doubters?" signifying the key motivator driving Wade to succeed. The shoe also features "34.7" on two triangular pieces on the shoe which signify Dwyane's points per game average in the last season's Finals.
After the opening game, Wade will wear a new black/white/red colorway of the WADE 1.3. The midfoot is constructed of soft and supple black nubuck with a crocodile-embossed pattern and is finished off with a white patent leather toe and durable white synthetic leather collar. The shoe's triangular patches read "FC" to represent "Flash Crew," the name adopted by Wade and his inner circle of friends and family. The tongue features Wade's number "3" and the soft notch in the heel features Converse's Wade logo.
"Converse is acknowledging Dwyane's superior accomplishments last season by launching the WADE 1.3 to improve upon and complement his original signature shoe. To begin the next chapter of Dwyane's career, Converse has planned a series of products which will roll out throughout the season," said Ric Wilson, Converse's Global Director of Sports Marketing. "Dwyane has built a tremendous fan base that supports him in every way, whether it's cheering him on, wearing his jersey or lacing up in his signature shoes. Converse will provide his fans with the opportunity to show their enthusiasm for Dwyane with new footwear and apparel products that speak to his unique style."
The WADE 1.3 is lighter than the original WADE signature shoe. It is constructed of non-stretch synthetic materials to enhance the fit and feel of the shoe. The sockliner has incorporated Poron® pods in the heel and forefoot to improve the ride of the shoe, both on the court and off. The collar features different densities of foam for a better fit and increased stability.
The Converse WADE 1.3 will roll out in various colorways through the end of 2006. It will retail for MSRP at $100 at Footlocker, Finish Line, Footaction, Champs, select independent retailers and online at
www.converse.com. The shoe's two launch colorways include a black/white/red and a black/gold colorway.
Converse will continue the momentum around Wade by launching the WADE 2.0 signature shoe and the first-ever apparel line designed around Wade's on- and off-court styles at the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as "America's Original Sports Company"™ and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor® All Star® shoe, the Jack Purcell® shoe and the One Star® shoe. Converse was the first basketball shoe to ever make contact with the court in 1917. Soon after, Converse gained iconic status with the creation of the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe, which went unmatched through five decades of professional basketball.
For more information, visit us on the web at:
www.converse.com.
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TV Spot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_g6gzd9KvY
HQ version:
http://www.onthescene.com/mnr/conver...uarter_300.jpg
HQ Version:
http://www.onthescene.com/mnr/conver...uarter_300.jpg
Wade 1.3
Linear Mode
