LeBron’s First Shoe, The Nike Air Zoom Generation

Hail To The King

LeBron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 straight out of high school. His impact as a teenager was instant – both on the court and off. King James delivered from the very start in the NBA and earned Rookie of the Year honors. The King never slowed down after his first season in the league, and he has achieved some of the most iconic moments in basketball history. “The Decision,” overcoming a 3-1 game deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals and bringing a championship to his hometown team, the list goes on and on. Everything he did on the court, the spectacular dunks, the game changing defensive plays, were done wearing Nikes.

A King’s Ransom

When LeBron signed with Nike as a teenager, he was given a seven year deal worth 90 million. After that deal expired, the King and Nike would eventually agree to a rare in the industry, lifetime deal. Nike and LeBron have agreed to a forever marriage that reportedly brings LeBron 30 million a year and the total deal is supposedly worth more than 1 billion. It is believed that LeBron’s signature line, which includes shoes and apparel, is estimated to earn Nike more than $600 million a year.

The Nike Air Zoom Generation

The shoe that started it all for Nike & LeBron was the Nike Air Zoom Generation. The first shoe released in the partnership was the iconic Nike Air Zoom Generation “Debut.” The King wore the model while playing in the first game of his career against the Sacramento Kings. The OG came in White, Black, Varsity Red and Metallic Silver. There was leather across the mudguards, toe boxes and throats. Textured black textiles adorn the medials. Glossy red windows are on the heels and jump onto the tongues, completing the design with game-ready soles injected with Zoom Air technology.

- Adam C. Better