Nike wasn’t hot on releasing its latest LeBron James shoe in Akron — at first.
But a man who works for the Next clothing/footwear store in West Akron took a long shot and got nothing but net.
“We went to Nike and said, `We want that release, it only makes sense to do it in Akron,’ ” said Michael Hurley, with the Akron Next store. “LeBron is from Akron and the store is in the backyard of where he grew up.”
The boutique, in the city’s Highland Square neighborhood, is among a relative few outlets nationwide that will today release the sought-after, limited-edition LeBron X Cork shoe. The shoe’s uppers are exactly that — cork. And the cork is a nod to champagne bottle corks that went flying in celebration of James’ first NBA championship season last year, according to Nike press materials.
The cork creations are creating quite the buzz nationwide, with shoe fanatics across the country jumping at a shot to get a pair. Twitter, blogs and other social media stoked the sneaker chatter.
A TV station in Utah reported 11 people already were camped outside a store in Salt Lake City on Thursday for one of a dozen pairs that will be available there.
Hurley said a Nike representative initially suggested that customers in the Akron area “won’t support the release ... that there’s still a lot of hate and anger here” over James’ decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010.
“We thought the exact opposite,” Hurley said. “LeBron still lives here in the offseason and continues to give back through charities.”
To help with his pitch, Hurley created a Power Point presentation, detailing the West Market Street store’s proximity to some of James’ Akron hangouts, including alma mater St. Vincent St. Mary High School. Hurley also went to the school, where he became friends with James.
Hurley, creative director for Next stores, has turned the shoe release into a LeBron-fest at the Akron store, which has been open about a year. He plans to have LeBron-centric items on hand, including one of his 2012 championship season rings and trophies and photographs from his days at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
After James’ senior year there in 2003, he signed a $90 million-plus shoe and apparel endorsement deal with Nike. The Beaverton, Ore., shoe giant and LeBron signed an extension in 2010.
Robert Rosenthal, co-owner of the Next store in Akron and four others in Northeast Ohio, said Nike has told him not to reveal how many pairs of the shoes he will have for sale. Nike representatives did not return multiple calls and emails seeking comment.
Rosenthal expects the shoes in Akron to sell out today.
“I would say if we had five times the amount we had we would sell them out,” Rosenthal said.
He doesn’t know of any other Northeast Ohio stores that will release the shoes.
The store will sell the shoes lottery-style. Customers may line up outside the store at 837 W. Market St. at 7:30 p.m. Everyone in line will get one ticket. At 9 p.m., the first 100 people will be admitted inside the store for the release of the shoe priced at $250. At 10 p.m., tickets will be drawn, with all ticket holders — inside and outside the store — having a chance to buy a pair of shoes.
Hurley said Akron police officers will provide security. He also plans to have Swensons burgers — a James favorite — on hand.
Rosenthal, whose Cleveland area stores have released other James shoes, said there’s a particular buzz around this edition.
“It’s an interesting product and about the championship,” said Rosenthal, who was involved with the Cleveland release of James’ first Nike shoe when LeBron was 18 years old.
Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.