Footwear News’ Post

Proportionally, how strong are you? Well, now's your chance to find out and help veterans in doing so. The first Pancakes For Roger virtual Dragon Slaying competition is less than a month away. Three weekends, three barbell lifts, and prizes galore. Using the Wilks scoring method, your score will be the weight lifted in relation to your weight. So the big lifters in the corner aren't guaranteed to win. Registration is now open ($50) via the link below. There's also some cool swag so you can rep the competition. All this is to benefit veterans who are navigating the VA's claims & appeals process (which on average takes 7 1/2 years to complete). Join the fun, help a good cause, and prove something to yourself. #pancakesforroger #dragonslaying #liftheavy https://lnkd.in/eMZWBbiU

⚽️ Women’s Football: New Co, Same Old Story? For me, the biggest question for NewCo is not where the money will come FROM, but where it will go TO. This is what will determine the fate of the whole game. The women’s game will, I have no doubt, attract big money. But the commercial revenue/TV split set by NewCo will be 75%/25%, WSL/Championship. No mention of Leagues & Clubs below that. If this is how things are going to be, then the direction seems set for the women’s game to follow the men’s game and to cement the hegemony of a handful of teams at the top and defend it by claiming trickle down of revenues (which never happens). NewCo’s CEO Nikki Doucet’s vision and passion reflect the majority of people who’ve been in the women’s game for years and give me hope. She says “I see a world where… women’s football…, changes the world.” I 100% agree. But revolutions and change start at the grassroots, not the elite, so if she is serious about the power of women’s football to effect change (and having met her I’d say she is), then that must be backed with significant MONEY going well beyond the WSL. The elite clubs must not swallow the lion’s share of the revenues. Let’s have a public debate about this, before it’s too late i.e. now. Without this, we know where things end up, it’s called the men’s game.

Understanding the Etiquette for Spectators During the National Anthem at Sporting Events The playing of the national anthem at sporting events is a tradition that holds great meaning for many fans and myself. It's a moment of unity, respect, and patriotism. But what are the actual procedures for spectators during this time? Let's take a look: 1. **Stand**: Before the National Anthem begins, crowds will usually be asked to stand. Standing is a sign of appreciation for our nation and its core values. 2. **Face the Flag**: If there’s an American Flag being displayed, you should face it. If there is not a flag on display, you should face the person who is singing the National Anthem, giving them your full attention. 3. **Remove Your Hat**: If you are wearing a hat, you should remove it for the duration of the National Anthem (unless it’s being worn for religious purposes). This tradition goes back more than a century, a time when wearing a hat indoors was considered rude. 4. **Place Right Hand Over Your Heart**: Next, place your right hand over your heart. This is a sign of respect and appreciation for our nation. Remember, these procedures are about showing respect for our nation and those who have served it. Let's continue to honor this tradition and the values it represents. #NationalAnthem #SportsEtiquette #Respect

Pebble Beach ended after Saturday. NASCAR Clash ran a day early. Mother Nature did not want anything on the west coast to interfere with Peyton and Eli coaching in the Pro Bowl. If you're feeling a little warm this week, that's just Super Bowl fever taking hold. So, before you are fully in the throes of it, please send me your nominations for this week's Nice Guys and Gals. Every Friday, I’ll share nominations for people who have been identified as nice guys (and gals). If you want to nominate someone, just shoot me a private message by 5:00 EDT on Thursday. There are only 3 requirements: 1) you have to be connected to the person you nominate 2) you can only nominate one person per week 3) you can’t nominate yourself 😀   If you want to provide a brief reason for your selection, that’s great, but it’s not a requirement. Let’s recognize people who make a difference simply by being nice. Have a great day, everyone. https://lnkd.in/ekcpB74H #network #sportsbiz #people #niceguy #networking #sportsmarketing

🥕 Carrots of Fire 🥕 🥕 Fans of vegetable-based mascots are celebrating this week with the return of Kevin the Carrot. This new spot from McCann Manchester sees Aldi's orange celebrity, re-named 'Kévin La Carotte' get into the Olympics spirit by parachuting into the Stade de France using some Union Jack y-fronts. Team GB's Max Whitlock then uses Kevin to light the Olympic flame. (It makes more sense when you see the ad, promise). 🥇 Aldi UK aren't holding back on the Olympics (the spot is called 'Race Against Thyme', lol). They've just extended their Team GB partnership for another eight years (taking them to Brisbane 2032). They're also releasing a limited-edition range of 'Kévin La Carotte' plushies, which are bound to get snapped up. 🤔 It's a fun spot, and props to the team at McCann Manchester for coming up with a fun take on the Olympics that stands out among the usual 'athlete-as-hero' and overly-reverential styles that Olympic-themed ads often adopt. It's also great to see Aldi leaning into the daft appeal of Kevin, letting him lose on another major calendar event beyond Christmas. Here's hoping they don't over expose him... 📣 Brands and businesses can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines when it comes to what is making and shaping culture. If you want regular updates of culture-creating work like Kevin, check out https://lnkd.in/g3qdW6fy #advertising #olympics #partnership #culture #brand https://lnkd.in/gcXWy_tR

Caitlin Clark and the Larry Bird / Magic Johnson Parallels With all the Caitlin Clark noise around her signature shoe deal with Nike (high), her starting WNBA pay (low) and how it compares to both women of color as well as NBA counterparts, I could not help but think of the parallels to the NBA 40 years ago. Did you know the NBA use to be on tape delay and you could not watch a live game? That was not that long ago. Larry and Magic brought enough demand from customers that the NBA was able to work a tv deal that essentially changed the future of the league. This is what Caitlin Clark has and will do. Ticket sales going through the roof for her games (home and away), shoe/jersey sales and more eyeballs watching the WNBA than ever before. So where do women of color fit in this changing landscape given 70% of the league is not white? The next wave coming in (example Michael Jordan following Larry/Magic). This may be JuJu from USC or a teenager getting ready to break through. Change is coming and Caitlin Clark is only the beginning.

Me last week, "Scottie Scheffler is really good at golf." Nelly Korda, "Hold my beer." 21,000+ fans show up at the Bell Centre to set the attendance record for women's hockey. Caitlin Clark's Fever jersey outsells entire Cowboys' roster (yay!). Fanatics says new stock won't arrive for a few months (boo!). Women continue to rock the #sportsbiz. But, I digress. We're here for the weekly Nice Guy/Gal awards. Every Friday, I’ll share nominations for people who have been identified as nice guys (and gals). If you want to nominate someone, just shoot me a private message by 5:00 EST on Thursday. There are only 3 requirements: 1) you have to be connected to the person you nominate 2) you can only nominate one person per week 3) you can’t nominate yourself 😀   If you want to provide a brief reason for your selection, that’s great, but it’s not a requirement. Let’s recognize people who make a difference simply by being nice. Have a great day, everyone. https://lnkd.in/edbkuGKU  #network #sportsbiz #people #niceguy #networking #sportsmarketing

Interesting Big Tech censorship note; when you search XX-XY Athletics on DuckDuckGo its website is the second entry on the page. But when you do the same search on Google it is way off the bottom of the page as the 10th entry (with a lot of non-entries pushing it down further off the page). Always keep in mind that the good (and oh so superior) folks at Google (and Facebook and LinkedIn, etc.) are always managing the information they permit you to consume.

Why this is a game changer…. Naming Candace Parker as president of adidas basketball division has the potential to —disrupt more than just— the sporting goods industry: 👑🏀 Representation and Advocacy: Firsthand —knowledge and understanding— of the needs and challenges of W Bball to lead the development of products and storytelling that resonates with female athletes and fans alike. 📣👀 Networking and Influence: She has a circle of influence like —no other—allowing the brand to form partnerships with key stakeholders and open doors to help expand the brand’s reach and impact in the sport and be a role model for other female athletes across all sports. ✂️🧵 Product Development: With direct experience in launching her signature shoe in 2010, she can provide valuable input on product design and innovation to better meet the —unique and underserved—requirements of women and basketball players. 👑 👔 Credibility and Inspiration: Starts from a place of authority with professional filters that will shape strategic visions to go —further, faster— in developing the right product, partners, and markets to create sustainable growth for the brand and business. 💰📈 Market Growth: Candace can play a crucial role in advocating for the sport at grassroots levels, fostering inclusivity, and developing programs that nurture talent, reduce dropout, and expand the sport’s popularity among women and girls. Ultimately, Candace’s leadership will positively change for the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) and women's sports globally —on the court and in the boardroom! #WomenInSports #FemaleAthletes #WomenInSport #GirlsInSports #WNBA #Basketball #EmpowerWomen #WomenAthletes #SportForHer #WomenWhoPlay #ShePlays #WomenPower #AthleteLife #SportsBizWomen #WomenLeaders #GirlsCanPlay #FierceWomen #GameChangerWomen #StrongWomen #WomenInFitness #SportsMarketingWomen #SportsEmpowerment

∀ Larry Foote Autographed Custom Black Football Jersey: Vendor: TSE Shop Type: Signed Jerseys Price: 89.40 Larry Foote Autographed Custom Black Football Jersey. All signed items come with TSE Digital Authentication and a 100% Money Back Authenticity Guarantee. Total Sports Enterprises is your leader in signed memorabilia. This CUSTOM jersey, size is XL. Jersey has no brand names or logos. This is a custom jersey and was not manufactured by or in any manner associated with any professional sports league or manufacturer. This custom jersey carries no professional sports league designation. The item is intended to be an autographed collectible. Reference of team in the title is to allow the purchaser a point of association. The custom jersey displays the name and number of the player. This item in no way is affiliated with or connected to any professional sports organization. Size is XL unless otherwise noted. 📌 shrsl.com/4fukl 📌 #LimitedEdition #GradedCards #VintageCards #RareCards #RookieCards