Confirming some long-standing rumours, Liverpool shareholder and NBA superstar Lebron James has debuted some pieces from what looks to be a new collaborative collection with the Premier League club ahead of the Lakers’ game against The Spurs recently.
The relationship between Lebron James and Liverpool has been well documented over the years; as well as being a huge fan, spotted in the past repping LFC shirts, the NBA star is also a minority shareholder of the club since agreeing on a marketing deal with Fenway Sports Group in 2011, in which he acquired a two percent stake. As a result of this relationship rumours of a collaborative collection have long been swirling, but now it looks like a full collection is on the way, featuring a special edition shirt and Air Max 1.
One of the key reasons that Nike were able to leverage the Liverpool contract away from New Balance was the company’s marketing power and their global reach and influence, promoted by their wider family of superstar athletes and key influencers such as LeBron, and now that influence and sway is starting to bear fruits, with the LFC x LeBron 9 Low trainer, which dropped back in September, whetting the appetite for more, now being followed up by what is being reported as a wider collection.
The shirt that Lebron was wearing ahead of the Lakers’ game against The Spurs saw a black base overlaid with red pinstripes, in between which features the club’s motto “YNWA” (You’ll Never Walk Alone), alongside Lebron’s “SFG” (Strive For Greatness). The LFC crest appears in its traditional placing on the left of the chest, as does the Nike Swoosh, on the right chest. The basketball player’s logo then features in the sponsor slot.
It’s unlikely that Liverpool will wear this shirt in a match, with it being more likely to be used as a prematch shirt.
The Air Max 1 sees dual branding throughout, with it following a similar colour scheme as the previously released LFC x LeBron 9 Low trainer. “SFG” appears on the left heel, and “YNWA” on the right, and similarly, the Lebron logo features on the insole of the left shoe, and the LFC crest in the right.
Look out for a wider release for the LFC x Lebron collection in the near future...
