HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chris Paul: S\O to my bro @Russwest44 on joining the Jordan Brand Family! #RiseAbove #TeamJordan #WeGotJ's instagr.am/p/QqmtLcyjc0/ Twitter @CP3

New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul, Sneakers, Russell Westbrook 

Darren Rovell: The Jordan brand has signed Russell Westbrook to an endorsement deal. Westbrook was previously with the main Nike brand. Twitter

Oklahoma City Thunder, Business, Sneakers, Russell Westbrook 

The first thing I have to ask you is, how did you break this to Mike? Dwyane Wade: [Laughs] To MJ? Well, you know, obviously how this works with contracts, man, is that you go into a year and I think people what people don’t know is I had a chance to sign back with Michael and Brand Jordan and Nike, they still wanted me to be a part of the family, and I just wanted to have my options open a little bit, and I think they knew that through the whole year — I didn’t sign my extension. And going into the summer I was really looking for the deal I felt as best for me, and when this deal came I think everyone knew it. So I didn’t personally talk to MJ about it, but Nike and all the Jordan guys that I have a relationship with they kinda knew the direction I was goin’ in. I didn’t leave on bad terms or anything, it was just something I had to do for me. And hopefully Michael understands that, because Michael had to do his own thing as well. And that’s all I’m trying to do, I’m trying to create and build my own legacy in a sense, and I had an unbelievable opportunity to do it globally, differently, than probably what Michael has done or what people are used to, in a sense. So I would hope that his viewpoint would be, ‘I can understand.’ complex.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Business, Sneakers 

You’re sort of a trailblazer in this regard — other players have signed with Chinese brands, but not with a deal like this. Did you talk to any of them about it ? And what was the big thing for you, what was the overriding reason to sign with Li-Ning. Dwyane Wade: Well, I think Li-Ning made Li-Ning, man, they really wanted me to be a part of this brand. They really made sure that I felt that this was not just another endorsement, that this was a partnership. And really building out the Wade brand was something that was very important to me because I wanted this to be a deal that lasts beyond basketball and not just another three-four year deal and move on to something else — I say I do things in threes, this is my third brand and this is it. [Laughs] They really came to the table and came on board and said listen, this is a partnership — they want me and Mr. Li Ning to stand side-by-side and not one in front of the other. I really appreciate that, and it really meant a lot to me. And I did, I asked Baron Davis a lot of questions, I asked Evan Turner a lot of questions — these guys who’ve been in the brand who I have relationships with — and got a comfort with what the brand could do. And as I learned more about the brand and what they’ve done and what they’ve been doing of late, I was very comfortable with what they were able to put out on the court. complex.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Business, Sneakers 

And building it means getting other players to wear it? I realize I’m jumping a little ahead… Dwyane Wade: Yeah, we’re moving a little far, but that is it— I am chief brand officer of my own brand, and I have to keep my eye out. That’s what I’m doing right now, I have my eye out. This season I’ll be going through, and in college, I’ll be watching the college basketball, I’ll have my eye out on someone who can represent the Wade brand and someone who wants to do something different. Someone who don’t wanna stick to the status quo, and hopefully we can build this brand out for years to come. So this is really your Jordan — you’re taking THAT role. CEO Wade. Dwyane Wade: Yeah, exactly. complex.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Business, Sneakers 

BDA Sports Management COO Bill Sanders wrote Wade’s signing is “clearly something more significant than any of the previous defections to the Great Wall.” Nike remains the “market share 800-pound gorilla,” but this signing is “more than an anomaly.” It signals “two key issues worth taking note of.” The first is that China “is for real" and the second is that Li-Ning “is for real.” Just a “few years back, many Chinese shoe companies would sign NBA stars and hope for the best.” Sports Business Daily

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Business, Sneakers 

Joseph Goodman: Wade's new shoe deal is worth $8 M for eight years, according to a source, but it's not entirely guaranteed. Twitter @MiamiHeraldHeat

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Joseph Goodman: Wade's new shoes feature the initials of Gabby Union, his grandmother and a favorite Bible verse of his mom. Twitter @MiamiHeraldHeat

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Amid the launch for the LeBron X, the model that comes with high-end sneaker-compatible software for $270 and without the added technology for $180, James stressed that it is a matter of offering a variety of options. He said the initial focus on a possible $300-plus price was misleading, "because the facts weren't correct." In a private moment with the Sun Sentinel, he said such attention was misplaced. "We have wide ranges of shoes that range from $300 all the way down to $160, $180," he said, with the Nike website currently offering a signature James model at $120. He said there is a place for a high-end model, as well as other price points. "We have great technology and they do a great job of putting out great shoes and things of that nature," he said. "But it just bothers you when things aren't always correct. But other than that, we move on and we get the real facts out there and we live with them." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, LeBron James, Sneakers 

Joseph Goodman: Big day for Dwyane Wade in Beijing. He’s launching what he hopes to be a sneaker empire in China. http://t.co/L2F6KDx5 Twitter @MiamiHeraldHeat

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Dwyane Wade was not kidding when he said he would have big news during the Miami Heat's trip to China. Wednesday, he delivered it in capital letters. While it previously had been widely reported that Wade would be moving to Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning once his sneaker deal with Jordan Brand expired last week, it was formally announced Wednesday in Beijing that the Heat guard actually would have his own division at the company, a footwear and apparel brand called WADE. Wade has been working his way back from July arthroscopic knee surgery, but at the announcement of his new affiliation it was revealed he would wear Li-Ning sneakers in both of the Heat's upcoming exhibitions in China against the Los Angeles Clippers, on Thursday in Beijing and Sunday in Shanghai. The shoes then will be placed for auction in China. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Jorge Sierra: Adidas officially announces Wolves guard Ricky Rubio has signed with the company. Twitter @hoopshype

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Business, Sneakers 

Dwyane Wade will introduce his new shoes to the Chinese and the world until Oct. 10. Heat Check received these pics (sans logos) from an inside source a few days early. Wade parted ways with Jordan Brand at the end of September and will now wear Li-Ning footwear. The shoe's release and Wade's press conference are scheduled for Wednesday in Beijing. Miami Herald

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Hmm, Dwyane Wade stops wearing Jordans and Russell Westbrook, in search of a new shoe deal, starts wearing them? It looks like another dimension to a growing rivalry. Sulia

Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers, Russell Westbrook 

Dwyane Wade and Michael Jordan no longer are a couple. Confirming what has been speculated for weeks, Wade said Tuesday he no longer will endorse Nike's Jordan Brand. "I did mutually part ways with the Jordan umbrella, with Jordan and Converse," Wade said after testing his sore knee Tuesday for a second consecutive day at Miami Heat practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "I had great nine years but we have mutually parted ways and I'm moving on." Chicago Tribune

Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Michael Jordan, Sneakers 

Wade was careful to remove his sneakers following Tuesday's practice before meeting with the media, handling his interview session in a pair of flip-flops, saying, "I'm just working in my new shoes." He now will become the face of China-based apparel company Li-Ning, with that formal announcement likely to come during next week's Heat preseason trip to China. While Wade declined to confirm the Li-Ning agreement, Heat teammate Shane Battier, who has his own China shoe deal, effectively did. "I told him, 'Let the friendly competition begin, Peak vs. Li-Ning," said Battier, who has a marketing agreement with Peak. "I stand by my brand. I was a pioneer over there, so it's good to have a fellow brother over there." Chicago Tribune

Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Michael Jordan, Sneakers 

Said Dwyane Wade, "I did mutually part ways with the Nike umbrella. I have parted ways with Jordan Brand." Sulia

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has officially departed Jordan Brand for Beijing-based footwear and apparel company Li-Ning, according to a source familiar with the situation. ESPN.com

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Jared Zwerling: Source: Dwyane Wade has officially left Jordan Brand for Chinese footwear and apparel company Li Ning, which endorses Evan Turner. Twitter @JaredZwerling

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, Sneakers 

Rumors have been swirling this summer about Dwyane Wade making a sneaker move, and while nothing is official yet, an NBA peer may have broken the news today. Sixers guard Evan Turner took to Twitter to “welcome” DWade to Li-Ning. We’ll deliver the details when we have them—and this has yet to be confirmed by Wade or the company— but for now, consider Turner’s tweet a hint at a major move from the Miami Heat star and former Jordan Brand athlete. evan turner@thekidet I’d like to welcome the homie D Wade to the Li-Ning family!!! #makethechance instagr.am/p/QQDrFjTSHN/ SLAM

Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Dwyane Wade, Evan Turner, Sneakers