LeBron James’ iconic Nike line is looking to take over the football boot scene, and we might have just gotten our hands on the most jaw-dropping colorway yet.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase debuted the “Fruity Pebbles” Nike LeBron 4 Vapor Edge sneakers on social media on Monday, thanks to a gift from King James himself.
This colorway originally launched in 2006 as a basketball shoe. Expected to release next spring as a retro cleat.
Nike is increasingly promoting LeBron retros as football shoes, with the Ohio State University football team landing a Nike LeBron 4 “Graffiti” colorway last month. USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. have also used LeBron as their game shoes this season.
With Kobe Bryant’s retro shoes becoming the most popular basketball shoes, entering the football market could be a way for LeBron to find his own unique market. LeBron’s line of signature shoes was very successful, but it never became ubiquitous, in part because LeBron shoes tend to be a heavier shoe because they were designed for someone with James’ physique.
Translating the shoe’s design into a football boot could prove to be a genius marketing strategy.