You can’t have an adequate conversation about sneaker culture without talking about the global impact of Michael Jordan and his line of signature shoes, as evidenced by the film “Air,” chronicling the inception of the Jordan sneaker era. With so much popularity around Nike and their relationship with Jordan, would you believe there was a time during the Jordan era when he didn’t have the biggest contract and most popular shoe among athletes? Welcome NBA legend Larry Johnson to the chat. According to a LinkedIn post, Johnson stated that he was offered a $1 million shoe deal with Converse in 1991. Johnson entered the league in 1991 as the No. 1 draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He had a stand-out rookie season, earning him the 1992 Rookie of the Year award, and in 1993, he signed what was then considered the largest contract in NBA history worth $87 million over seven years. However, after that historic deal, Johnson suffered a sprained back that would impact the longevity of his...

After a brief hiatus from the WNBA , Natasha Cloud is back in the game and she’s bringing some new footwear! In 2020, Cloud left the game to focus her attention on fighting for social justice, and now the Washington Mystics guard is back sporting the Converse All Star BB EVO. Courtesy of Nike/Converse The “Petal to the Metal” PE is the brand’s first player’s editor with a WNBA player with a colorway that’s inspired by one of Cloud’s tattoos — a  rose tattoo,  which appears on the lateral side of each heel. According to Converse , “Petal to the Metal” is also inspired by Cloud’s ability to “bloom bravely in all areas of her life.” Illustrated by blushes of Chambray Blue, Pink Foam, and Spring Green, the colorway stands firm in the idea of a community coming together in order to inspire new beginnings. Courtesy of Nike/Converse “I wanted the shoe to signify looking to new horizons, collective growth, and regenerating oneself,” said Cloud in an official press release. Cloud was named...