At least once a month I write something in regard to K-Swiss giving all of their power to Gary Vee in order to establish themselves as the shoe of the entrepreneurial movement. I bring that up because the first sponsor of American Ninja Warrior during the early seasons was K-Swiss. The big shield can be seen in old videos everywhere. This made sense because K-Swiss was actually in on parkour at its onset and many free runners who transitioned into Ninja Warrior wore K-Swiss. I think the branded opted out of the sport far too soon.
Once I finish discussing K-Swiss and Ninja Warrior, I always bring up the fact that Under Armour has done very little with Jessie Graff who is one of the most popular Ninja’s on the show. While she isn’t able to wear the UA Logo during the events and the camera rarely focuses on the footwear and apparel, outside of the run on the show she should be highlighted often as I’ve said consistently the reason that footwear sales are down in performance and basketball is because kids no longer share the same sports heros as their parents. Kids do however know every Ninja Warrior and Graff is the bomb.
The nontraditional sport is one of the fastest growing segments in television and in the creation of gyms across the US and beyond. Nike has found an access point via one of their most successful endorsers in Allyson Felix. Many of the women participants in the sport are former track and field athletes. It’s not a mistake that Felix has attained the hosting job and I can almost guarantee that Nike will make more appearances in the sport this year either through Allyson or on the feet of athletes like J.J. Woods and Flip Rodriguez.
Check out the video of Allyson introducing her segment on her Twitter profile.
It’s back! Are you watching the new #AMERICANNINJAWARRIOR on NBC!? I’ve got some exciting news to share…. pic.twitter.com/BzvrxO1vjE
— Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix) May 31, 2018
Memphis Parkour and Recess Give Insight Into Where Sports Footwear is Headed
