SPORTS

Neymar Jr. Ditches Nike For PUMA

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Neymar Jr. has departed from Nike, ending a 15 year relationship with the iconic sports brand. The Brazilian football star now has his sights on Puma and wearing the KING football cleats.

Neymar Jr. took to Twitter, celebrating the move stating:

“I grew up watching videos of great football legends such as Pelé, Cruyff, Matthäus, Eusébio and Maradona. These were the KINGs of the pitch, the KINGs of my sport. I wish to bring back the legacy that those athletes created on the pitch. They each played in PUMA, and each of them created their magic in The KING. Every time I lace my boots, my KING boots, I will do anything to achieve all of my dreams to honor my name and that of all those great ones who wore the KING before me. This will be my PUMA history. The KING is back!”

Neymar Jr.’s collection for PUMA is now available for pre-order at the brand’s website.

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NBA Teams Boycott Playoff Games To Protest Jacob Blake Shooting

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The shooting of Jacob Blake on August 23 has literally set the world ablaze. As a result of the events, and to further emphasize Black Lives Matter, the Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic have boycotted their August 26 game. Following in solidarity are four more teams to boycott, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. The Athletic reporter Shams Charania confirmed that the NBA has decided to postpone all of the games for August 26 to further discuss a course of action with NBA teams and reps.

For those unaware, there was video shot in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this past weekend that shows Jacob Blake attempting to break up a domestic dispute. The video then shows Kenosha police arriving on the scene, followed by Blake returning to his car, opening the door to enter and then being shot multiple times in the back, at point blank range by police. The 29-year old Blake currently in the hospital, is believed to be paralyzed.

The NBA states that games will be rescheduled and no team’s protest would result in forfeit.

Nike Drops “Better | Mamba Forever” Spot Honoring Kobe Bryant On His Birthday

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Kobe’s passing has left us all with an empty feeling inside. Despite the sadness we feel of a legend that has gone too soon, it’s important to never forget the lessons he has taught us which can be applied on and off the court. August 23 would have been Mamba’s 42nd birthday and today, as well as days ahead, we honor the legend that is Kobe Bean Bryant.

Kobe Bryant taught us to be better-a better scorer, better GOAT, better father. His philosophy of #MambaMentality changed the game and continues to inspire athletes like Serena Williams, Anthony Davis, Sydney Leroux, Diana Taurasi and Sky Brown today.

Kendrick Lamar narrates the ad which features other sports stars and even shares intimate moments with the legend and his family. Kobe’s daughter, Gigi also makes an appearance in the spot as well. Happy Birthday Kobe! #MambaMentality

https://twitter.com/nikebasketball/status/1297535413846859779?s=21

Nike Officially Announces “Mamba Week” In Honor Of Kobe Bryant

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Nike fully commits to preserving the legacy of Kobe Bryant with Mamba Week, a week-long celebration filled with launches celebrating the NBA legend. There will be three important efforts for the move with the first being a donation to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, more focus on the Mamba League, and lastly, the release of more Nike Kobe Protro shoes and apparel. These efforts kick off on August 23, the day before Kobe Bryant Day (8/24), which was declared by the city of Los Angeles.

The Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, in memory of Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, will receive a $1 million donation from the Nike Foundation. The goal is to help kids stay active, especially in undeserved communities while also providing an even playing field for girls.

Continuing, Nike will lend further support to Bryant’s Mamba League partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs in Los Angeles. The league is created to give children a place to advance their fundamental skills of basketball. The Mamba League, which was created in 2017, will continue Bryant’s message of “Work to get better every day, on and off the court.”

Finally, Nike will release more Kobe Protro silhouettes as well as limited quantities of the star’s Lakers jerseys. Look out for these to drop right around Mamba Week.

Nike Makes A Powerful Statement With New Campaign “You Can’t Stop Us”

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In honor of the NBA season returning last night, Nike unveiled the third film in its campaign titled “You Can’t Stop Us.”

The visual is narrated by soccer superstar, Megan Rapinoe, and celebrates all sports as being a source of inspiration and will. The editing is seamless as it integrates two sides that pairs athletes together with the same kinetic movement as if they’re right by each other.

Fast Facts About the Film

24 sports represented

53 athletes

4,000 action sequences researched

72 final sequences selected

news.nike.com

Athletes featured in the video include Megan Rapinoe, LeBron James, Naomi Osaka, Eliud Kipchoge, Caster Semenya, Cristiano Ronaldo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Serena Williams, Colin Kaepernick and Kylian Mbappé.

Walt Disney Co. Announces Partnership With Colin Kaepernick

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As part of a first deal look with Disney, Colin Kaepernick will be the focal point for an upcoming docuseries via ESPN Films.

This project will center around Colin’s journey over the last 5 years which will include interviews and exclusive footage. Kaepernick’s company, Ra Vision Media, will work cohesively with The Walt Disney Co. to produce compelling content focused on “race, social injustice and the quest for equity.” Content from the deal will span across all Disney platforms, including Walt Disney Television, Pixar, ESPN, The Undefeated and Hulu.

With the first-look deal, Disney will have the right of first refusal over whatever Kaepernick and his company, Ra Vision Media, creates. Jemele Hill, who previously worked for ESPN in 2018, will produce the series. This news follows Kaepernick’s other project with film maker Ava DuVernay announced earlier this week.

Kobe Bryant Joins Damian Lillard And Zion Williamson As NBA 2K21 Cover Athletes

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NBA 2K21’s release is right around the corner with Damian Lillard as the cover athlete for current gen systems like Xbox One and PS4. Next gen systems like PS5 and Xbox Series X will have the no. 1 pick Zion Williamson as their cover athlete.

The unveiling of cover athletes doesn’t just stop at Dame and Zion, however, because the creators of the game have just announced a special NBA 2K21: Mamba Forever Edition game featuring none other than Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant will also be the cover athlete for next gen versions of 2K21. Fans have petitioned vehemently to have Kobe Bryant as the next athlete to be featured on the cover ever since his untimely death with some fans even creating their own version of the 2K21 cover.

Will never forget the first time we ever met in 2010. Your passion. RIP legend, we will do our best to celebrate your immeasurable legacy.

Ronnie Singh aka Ronnie 2K, NBA 2K digital marketing director

NBA 2K21 hits shelves September 4 for current gen and this holiday for next gen.

UCLA’s $280 Million Deal With Under Armour In Jeopardy

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In 2016, the largest deal in NCAA history was made when Under Armour inked a contract with UCLA worth $280 million for 15 years. It would seem that there may be road blocks in the partnership as Under Armour is now looking to end the relationship after 3 years. Under Armour states that is has not received the benefits from their marketing for an extended time period in which they have paid for.

Under Armour has recently made the difficult decision to discontinue our partnership with UCLA, as we have been paying for marketing benefits that we have not received for an extended time period. The agreement allows us to terminate in such an event and we are exercising that right. We know that this has been a challenging time for athletes, sports programs and performance apparel brands alike. Under Armour will continue to preserve our strength in this challenging environment, while maintaining a strong network of partnerships with individuals, organizations and leagues that make us the on-field authority for focused performers.

Under Armour’s Official Statement

The Los Angeles Times reports that a sum of $15 million USD was paid upfront to UCLA AND $11 million USD per year after. $7.4 million USD was given to the program in sports equipment, apparel and shoes per school year as well as a $2 million USD grant over eight years for upgrades on athletic/ performance facilities. Subsequently, UCLA will fight the termination from Under Armour.

Jamie Foxx Will Play Mike Tyson In Biopic

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Seems like Jamie Fox has been teasing a Mike Tyson biopic for years now. Aside from his spot on impression of the former heavyweight champion, it is now confirmed that the film has now been given the green light.

During an Instagram Live interview, Foxx spoke to producer Mark Birnbaum, stating that he has been bulking up for the upcoming role that will chronicle Iron Mike Tyson’s life. Tyson, of course has had his fair share of ups and downs and is definitely worthy of a biopic played by one of the greatest actors of our time.

Michael Jordan And Jordan Brand To Commit $100 Million Toward Racial Equality And Social Justice

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Nike is all in when it comes to fighting social injustice, racism and bigotry. From their recent “For Once, Don’t Do It” campaign to them donating $40 Million over four years to charity, Nike remains fully committed to the cause.

Only a few hours after Nike made their announcement of their $40 million charity initiative, Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan are taking things up another notch as they are fully committed to donate $100 Million over the next ten years to various organizations dedicated to racial equality, education initiatives and social justice.

Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community. Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family. We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice. The will, the work, the excellence the world has come to know is the result of one generation after another, pouring their dreams into the next.

Jordan Brand

Click here to find out how you can help the cause.