NIKE SB AND CIRCULATE MERGE BASKETBALL AND SKATEBOARDING — Quick Facts
Nike SB is launching an experimental event called the Skills Challenge that combines skateboarding tricks with basketball skills, scheduled for February 14th at 12PM. The event features a unique format mixing basketball assists with skateboarding manuals, and three-point shooting with ledge grinding, with open tryouts from 12PM-3PM and finals from 3PM-4PM.
Key Data Points
- Nike SB was officially launched in March 2002, spending two decades convincing skaters that basketball shoes could work on boards
- Corey Populus founded Circulate in 2018 and the brand is stocked in 10 boutique shops globally and 85 PacSun locations across the US
- The Nike SB Skills Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, February 14th at 12PM with open tryouts from 12PM-3PM and finals from 3PM-4PM
- Populus grew up in Leimert Park where there weren't many Black skaters, and other kids called them 'white boys' because they skated
- The SB Dunk's success helped change the sneaker industry's approach to limited releases and collaborations
Frequently Asked
- When was Nike SB officially launched?
- Nike SB was officially launched in March 2002 after Nike's previous attempts to enter the skateboarding market had failed.
- Who is Corey Populus and what is Circulate?
- Corey Populus, also known as Young Corey, is the founder of streetwear brand Circulate, launched in 2018. He's from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, and built his brand around skateboarding, streetwear, and sneaker culture.
- What makes the Nike SB Skills Challenge different from other events?
- The event combines two different sports - basketball and skateboarding - with challenges that pair basketball skills like assists and three-point shooting with skateboarding tricks like manuals and ledge grinding.
- What is Corey Populus' background in skateboarding?
- Populus grew up skateboarding in Leimert Park where there weren't many Black skaters, and he and his friends were called 'white boys' for skating. He would catch multiple buses to Venice Beach to skate since there wasn't a park near his neighborhood.
- How has Nike SB influenced sneaker culture?
- Nike SB helped change the sneaker industry's approach to limited releases and collaborations, showing how creating narratives around sneaker releases could drive demand and build loyal communities.