Miami (PRWEB) November 5, 2005
For the first time ever, the same Dunkman™ Game Shoe Shaquille O’Neal wears for every thunderous dunk will be available at select Payless ShoeSource stores nationwide and on Payless.com®.
Fans will get their first look at the Dunkman Game Shoe tonight during Miami’s opening home game when Shaq debuts the Game Shoe style, which features a black base with red accents and the chrome and red Dunkman logo.
“When I was a kid, I got a lot of my shoes at Payless,” said O’Neal. “Now having kids of my own, I wanted to create a performance shoe that parents everywhere felt good about providing for their kids or themselves.”
Beginning Dec. 1, 2005, the Dunkman Game Shoe will be available while supplies last for $24.99 in youth sizes and $39.99 in adult sizes on Payless.com and at approximately 1,200 Payless stores nationwide including select stores in the following markets: Miami, New York, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
“Every move Shaq makes in his quest for another championship ring this season will be made in the Dunkman Game Shoe,” said Matt Rubel, Chief Executive Officer of Payless ShoeSource. “Payless is thrilled to be able to provide fans with access to innovation and the same Dunkman Game Shoe Shaq wears on the court.”
With performance as an important focus, the Dunkman Game Shoe provides support for multi-directional movement, allowing athletes to maximize their individual potential.
“Shaq has a very democratic vision for the Dunkman brand, which is dedicated to providing terrific-looking basketball styles that perform well and offer great value to consumers,” said Mike Fine, Senior Vice President and General Merchandising Manager, Athletics, for Payless. “We are thrilled by the result -- the Dunkman Game Shoes truly embody the vision set forth by Shaq.”
The Dunkman Game Shoes are made possible through a licensing agreement with Exeter Brands Group, a company marketing athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel. The Dunkman trademark is a registered trademark of Mine O’Mine, Inc. and used under an exclusive license by Exeter Brands Group.
“Two years ago we launched Dunkman exclusive to Payless as a brand dedicated to delivering the latest basketball styling and performance features at a great price,” said Mary Gleason, President of Exeter Brands. “The Game Shoe is a major milestone in the Dunkman brand evolution. The fact that Shaq is wearing these same shoes in professional games shows the authenticity of the brand and that you truly can get great athletic shoes for a value price.”
Payless ShoeSource, Inc. is the largest specialty family footwear retailer in the Western Hemisphere. With more than 4,600 retail stores throughout North, Central and South America and its e-store Payless.com®, Payless puts more feet in the latest footwear fashions than any other specialty retailer.
Exeter Brands Group LLC, based in New York, designs and markets athletic footwear and apparel for the value retail channel and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike, Inc., the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities.
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