Nike Plans Self-Lacing Shoes

Family of co-founder Bill Bowerman unearths it

(NEWSER) - Nike has back in its possession what the Oregonian calls the company's "Holy Grail"—the waffle iron that inspired co-founder Bill Bowerman to design his first innovative sole. Bowerman's son found the relic buried on his late father's property near Eugene, and the family gave it to Nike. (The company made a "generous" donation in return to the local high school track team where the family lives.) "It truly is the headwaters of our innovation," says the company historian. "From a historian's standpoint, it's like finding the Titanic." More»

Once-dominant fashion has gone by the wayside

(NEWSER) - In case you hadn't noticed, hightop sneakers are on death's door. You can thank big stars like Steve Nash, who's worn low-tops all his life, and Kobe Bryant, whose switch to low-tops last year prompted four of his Lakers teammates to follow suit. Of course, they're not alone. Eighty percent of NBA players wore hightops in the late '80s, but these days, that number's shrunk to just 8%, the Wall Street Journal reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Not so fast, Michael Vick. A day after the quarterback's agent announced he had been re-signed by Nike, the sneaker company says it's just not true. “Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick," said a spokesman. He added, however, that Vick is getting some free shoes. Nike ditched Vick in 2007 amid the dog-fighting scandal, notes CNBC. "This agent put his Air Vick in his mouth," a marketing consultant tells USA Today. More»

Nike, North Face get free pub from prez-elect

(NEWSER) - The latest high-profile sportswear-endorser doesn’t charge brands like Nike and North Face a thing to be seen wearing their logos, but his fashion choices may be worth millions, the Times of London reports. Barack Obama’s love of the gym and the basketball court is famous, and companies are happy to cash in on the regular photographs of the president-elect sporting his favorite name-brand gear. More»

Steve & Barry's markets star sneaks for under $20

(NEWSER) - Don’t feel like ponying up $175 for the freshest Air Jordans? You could instead buy 11 pairs of Ben Wallace’s Big Ben shoes and have change. Budget-minded retailer Steve & Barry’s is reversing Nike’s formula, selling low-cost shoes branded by Wallace, Venus Williams, and Stephon Marbury—whose Starburys sold 3 million pairs in two months. More»