At one point, Kobe Bryant made a big fashion statement by playing games wearing full length tights and got the basketball press and fans all interested. Then the NBA shut it down, banned the tights, and the soon to be product from Nike disappeared. Similar products were planned by other companies - Adidas and Under Armour, McDavid, possibly others - but have either been remarketed as running tights or just never saw the light of day. I’m fascinated by this. The idea that a product was good enough for the biggest brand in shoes and the best player in the NBA to get on board, but for some reason was hated so much by the NBA that the product was banned.
WTF? How are full length tights different from stupid arm sleeves? Tattoos are ok, but tights are off limits? Even though Adidas is now the official equipment provide of the NBA, players are still allowed to wear socks and shoes, and I assume underwear produced by other brands. Why not tights?
I recently tried compression socks from Nike. My calves felt great. I played longer, didn’t have leg cramps that night, and there was almost no soreness that night or the next day in my lower legs. My thighs - not so lucky. So why would the NBA want to deprive me of happy legs? Why would the NBA decide to take away the ability for Nike or Adidas to market such a product on the legs of the world’s most famous basketball players?
I have to know. I’m obsessed with this. I read about it online. Customer support at Nike has no idea, and claimed that I knew more about it than they did. Which is possible, but still.
Come on Nike. If I want to look like Peter Pan playing basketball, isn’t it my right? Especially if Kobe and LeBron are going to make it cool?!
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