Converse Posts Up Its Future with Resurgence in Performance Basketball

Business Wire, Nov 13, 2007

Legendary Brand Announces Athlete Roster, All-New College Partnership, New Performance Product and a Community Outreach Initiative

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Converse will approach its centennial year this basketball season, and as the company who invented the first basketball shoe to make contact with the court in 1917, its rich history in basketball is undisputed. To continue its legacy on the court, Converse introduces new product and initiatives to further its resurgence in performance basketball including its 2007-2008 NBA athlete roster, Marquette University men's basketball team partnership, new product and a community outreach program.

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Converse now boasts its largest NBA athlete roster in more than 20 years, led by its long-term relationships with Dwyane Wade (Miami HEAT), Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls), and Jameer Nelson (Orlando Magic) and Andre Miller (Philadelphia 76ers). New additions to the Converse roster of athletes include Udonis Haslem (Miami HEAT), Kyle Korver (Philadelphia 76ers), Orien Greene (Sacramento Kings), Maurice Evans (Los Angeles Lakers) and rookies Acie Law IV (Atlanta Hawks) and Alando Tucker (Phoenix Suns).

"Converse's basketball heritage is rich with stories of product innovation and legendary players, but it's our future in the basketball category that excites us most," said Jack Boys, Converse CEO. "We created partnerships with athletes whose unique approach and respect for the game make them inherent to the Converse brand, and the introduction of nine performance basketball shoes and an all-new apparel line says it all - Converse is back in basketball."

From the brand that brought iconic basketball shoes including the Chuck Taylor[R] All Star[R] shoe, Pro Leather shoe and Weapon[R] shoe, Converse will launch nine performance basketball shoes this season, including the WADE 3 signature shoe, the Team WADE 1.3, the Team WADE TFC, Converse 099, Converse Hops, Game Time, Showtime, Dumalis and the Heatseek. Converse basketball footwear will be available at major retail outlets and specialty stores throughout the country. Prices range from $40-$100.

In addition to Converse's presence in the NBA and retail stores, this upcoming college basketball season, Converse will be the shoe and athletic apparel outfitter of Marquette University men's basketball team, who were led to the 2003 NCAA Final Four by Dwyane Wade. For the next six seasons, Converse will outfit the Golden Eagles with game, practice and off-court apparel including jerseys, performance shorts, warm-ups, sweat suits, shooting shirts and t-shirts that feature both the Converse star and WADE logos. Marquette players will have a choice of four Converse basketball shoes including the Converse 099 shoe, the WADE TFC Team shoe, the WADE 1.3 Team shoe and the WADE 3 shoe.

Converse also continues its WADE and Converse basketball apparel lines, which are available at Macy's Florida, Dick's Sporting Goods, select Dillard's locations, the AmericanAirlines Arena store, and online at Converse.com.

In November, Converse will launch an Open Gym program to showcase their love for the game and to give every player regardless of skill level the opportunity to play. The program is free for all participants and tipped off November 3 in Miami with the launch of the WADE 3 performance basketball shoe. Converse will hold Open Gyms in Philadelphia and Chicago, which will run twice a month through May. Participants will be provided with Converse jerseys and will have the opportunity to test Converse performance basketball product. Registration for Open Gym will be available online at www.converse.com.

About Converse

Converse Inc., based in N. Andover, Massachusetts, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nike, Inc. Established in 1908, the Converse brand has built a reputation as "America's Original Sports Company"[TM] and has been associated with a rich heritage of legendary shoes such as the Chuck Taylor[R] All Star[R] shoe, the Jack Purcell[R] shoe and the One Star[R] shoe. Today, Converse offers a diverse portfolio including premium lifestyle men's and women's footwear and apparel. Converse product is sold globally by retailers in over 160 countries and through 25 company-owned retail locations in the U.S. For more information, visit Converse on the web at www.converse.com.