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Nick DePaula

Portland, Sacramento

Feature Writer and Creative Director at ESPN

I cover the footwear industry and NBA, WNBA & NIL marketing. On Boardroom / ESPN / Nice Kicks / Sole Collector over the last 15 years. [email protected]

Articles

  • 1 month ago | slamonline.com | Nick DePaula

    The best signature shoes personify the player. They’re an extension of the style and vibe that their namesake stands for. According to James Harden, his Adidas signature series might be the best expression of that approach in the industry. “Right when you see it, it’s like, ‘Oh wow, what’s that?’ And then you know: ‘That’s the Harden. That’s a Volume,‘” Harden proudly says.

  • Feb 13, 2025 | boardroom.tv | Nick DePaula

    When Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star guard and league MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signed a new long-term extension with Converse last spring, the deal included his very own signature shoe. It was a historic distinction for Converse, who had only re-launched its performance basketball category in 2018, stamping “SGA” as the future face of the company. As part of the deal, he was also named Creative Director of Converse Basketball.

  • Feb 6, 2025 | boardroom.tv | Nick DePaula

    For Paolo Banchero, his interest in the sneaker game didn’t just start as a kid growing up in Seattle, as he was rising the ranks on the hoop scene. The Orlando Magic star was just as curious about the design and marketing side of the industry that his favorite players powered, dreaming of a path to make his imprint one day.

  • Feb 3, 2025 | boardroom.tv | Nick DePaula

    The impact and influence of the Air Jordan 1 design are almost impossible to properly assign. A singular shoe that has generated billions of dollars in revenue for an industry-defining individual athlete’s own sub-brand, and even all these years later, the sneaker stands the test of time. It’s simply one of the most iconic creations we’ve ever seen in footwear.

  • Jan 15, 2025 | boardroom.tv | Nick DePaula

    As we kick off a new year, there are tons to look forward to for the sneaker industry ahead. Several players are emerging across a slate of challenger brands, while there’s also renewed energy from the longtime staple leaders as well. The relentless arms race that fuels the industry-wide push for innovation and new methods of design is seeing more competition than ever.

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Nick DePaula
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
14 May 25

RT @DeJuanlWright: Signing with New Balance was a very wise decision by Cooper Flagg and his team. He'll have the opportunity to be the f…

Nick DePaula
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
13 May 25

Projected #1 pick Cooper Flagg laced up the “Flavors Pack” edition of the New Balance Hesi V2 at the NBA Draft Combine. Flagg signed a long-term deal with New Balance last summer and now will begin his NBA career as a featured face of the brand’s basketball category. https://t.co/Vito0d0gOP

Nick DePaula
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
13 May 25

Sabrina Ionescu returns to Eugene in the @OregonWBB Nike Sabrina 2 PEs 🦆 https://t.co/JTELKfOMEB