Breaking into the basketball market is no easy feat, but Skechers has just put one giant foot forward.
Skechers basketball shoes are set to become a popular sight on NBA courts this season, after reports the footwear brand has signed reigning league MVP Joel Embiid.
The 76ers superstar was spotted at the team’s practice on Wednesday wearing a pair of Skechers basketball shoes for the first time, with Skechers staff also in attendance.
This move by Embiid comes as a shock to many, considering he has his own signature shoe with Under Armour – the UA Embiid 1. With the brand launching a new basketball division, it’s expected that other NBA players will join Skechers, especially after their big marquee signing.
Details are still unfolding surrounding the launch, but here’s everything we know so far about the upcoming release of Skechers basketball shoes.
Joel Embiid becomes Skechers first big signing
The Philadelphia 76ers superstar and reigning NBA MVP is reportedly finalising an endorsement deal with Skechers to become their marquee athlete of the new basketball division of the business.
It continues the rising trend of slightly lesser-known footwear brands attracting big name sports stars, like Rigorer signing Lakers’ Austin Reaves.
Embiid was seen wearing Skechers basketball shoes for the first time at 76ers practice and will reportedly start wearing them on the NBA court once the deal is finalised.
It’s an incredible coup for Skechers; the 76ers center was initially signed to Under Armour, who had even released a signature shoe for him.
Who are Skechers?
Skechers is a Californian-based footwear brand that is known for their bland, yet comfortable designs within the consumer sneaker market.
2023 has seen a change is attitude from the brand, as they’ve looked to tap into the sports market more. In August, Skechers announced the lifetime signing of English football star Harry Kane.
The company also has ties with major golf champion Matt Fitzpatrick, who won the 2022 US Open.
In the past, Skechers has leant into it being a brand that isn’t taken as seriously as others and doing so has helped under-cut competitors with their lower prices.
Who else is going to wear Skechers basketball shoes?
The upcoming launch of the new basketball division at Skechers won’t just have Joel Embiid involved; other NBA stars are set to follow.
Although Embiid is the brand’s marquee man, New York Knicks star Julius Randle and Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann are also expected to sign with the brand, after being photographed in a pair of the brand’s sneakers.
What do Skechers basketball shoes look like?
Our first look at Skechers basketball shoes came from Julius Randle’s media day photos, where the long time Nike ambassador ditched the ‘Tick’ for the new sheriff in town.
The only colourway we’ve seen is predominately white with a mixture of colours placed around the shoe.
The Skechers logos are found in metallic silver on the back part of the outer-side panel of the sneaker and on the blue tag on the tongue.
A mesh-dominant design is an interesting choice from Skechers with an almost ‘see-through’ element to the silhouette.
Are Skechers available to buy in Australia?
The new Skechers basketball shoes are not yet available for purchase as of mid-October, 2023. We will look to update this story as soon as there’s any more news in that space.
