Black Fives and Nike Teaming Up?

Unconfirmed Rumors Surface

(Greenwich, CT - March 17, 2006) Industry insiders are abuzz at rumors that Black Fives, Inc., and Nike, Inc. will be teaming up in a licensing relationship. Such a relationship, it is said, would involve a multi-year licensing arrangement that would allow the athletic giant to produce and sell Black Fives licensed athletic footwear, clothing, accessories, and equipment in return for royalty compensation. Such merchandise would be identified with the logos and names of the early African American basketball teams that fall under the domain of intellectual property and trademarks owned by Black Fives, Inc.

Feeding these rumors are reports that representatives from up to 50 premium magazines attended a recent "media sneak preview" of Nike's proposed Black Fives Collection that is said to be slated for delivery to retail stores in October 2006. Calls attempting to confirm this, placed to the fashion editors at GQ, Details, Trace, Complex, Vanity Fair, Oprah Magazine, InStyle, XXL, Maxim, Men's Journal, Stuff, and SLAM -- all of whom were said to have attended -- were not returned. Nike spokesperson Nate Tobecksen was also unavailable for comment.

"I can't deny that we have had some discussions with Nike," said Black Fives founder Claude Johnson. "We let them take a peek at some of our assets, just the tip of the iceberg. And we've tossed around some ideas. However, to say that we have a deal in place would be speculative and premature."

Yet, several retailers claimed to have seen prototypes and early samples of the line, which, it is speculated, would be marketed under Nike's Sport Culture umbrella and include hard-to-find retro sneaker styles such as amazingly popular Air Force 1s. "I liked what I saw and can't wait to place my orders for holiday delivery," says Bert Metzger, co-owner of the Midwest-based urban clothing chain Street Legends, with stores in Chicago and St. Louis. Other retailers that were said to have seen early styles from the collection include Sneaker Villa of Philadelphia and Training Camp in New York City.

Editor's Note: The Starting Lineup will do its best to keep readers informed about any further sightings or confirmations as we find out more.

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