Jordan Olympic shoes sell for record $190,373

A pair of game-worn Michael Jordan sneakers sold at auction for $190,373 on Sunday, setting a record for game-used shoes.

The Converse shoes were said to be used by the NBA legend in the gold medal game against Spain in the 1984 Olympics, according to ESPN.


"The record-shattering price proves that Michael Jordan has no equal in the marketplace for game-used basketball memorabilia," said Dan Imler, vice president of SCP Auctions, which sold the shoes.

Jordan's shoes from the 1984 Olympics -- the game was played at The Forum in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles -- are autographed and include his orthotic inserts. They are considered the last pair Jordan wore in a game as an amateur and also the last time he wore Converse in an official game.

Jordan scored 20 points in the 96-65 win over Spain on Aug. 10, 1984. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls three weeks before he played his first game for the United States in the 1984 Games and signed his deal with the Bulls in September, followed by a Nike deal in October 1984.

According to ESPN, the previous record for a pair of game-used sneakers sold at auction was for the ones Jordan wore in Game Five of the 1997 NBA Finals, also known as the "Flu Game." Those sneakers sold for $104,765 in 2013.

That game was played 20 years ago Sunday, with Jordan battling through flu-like symptoms to score 38 points in the Bulls' win over the Jazz.

(Editing by Gene Cherry)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Over 150,000 pairs of fake Nike, Adidas shoes destroyed

MANILA, Philippines - Over 150,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike, Adidas and Converse shoes, as well as other popular footwear brands, were destroyed by the Bureau of Customs on Tuesday.

In a statement, the BOC said the thousands of China-made fake shoes, worth an estimated P50 million, were smuggled into the country last year.

The haul of fake Nike, Adidas, Converse, Sketchers, Northface, Leaveland, Merelle, Lacoste, Vans, Havaianas, and Ipanema products were seized from a warehouse in Olivares Compound in Parañaque City last February 2014.

"These counterfeit shoes and slippers were smuggled from China and were part of a big raid we had last year inside the Olivarez Compound in Parañaque City. We seized the warehouse to check the legality of the importation of goods but the owner failed to produce proof of payment of duties and taxes from Customs, consequently, the warehouse was padlocked and sealed for BOC custody," Customs Commissioner John P. Sevilla said.

The one-year gap between the seizure and the actual destruction of the smuggled products was attributed to the long process that included issuance of subpoenas to the concerned consignees and brokers, the need to secure the involvement of brand owners, and the conduct of hearings in accordance with existing regulations.

Sevilla said the shipments were subject to a series of hearings, but the claimant did not send any representative. This means the fake items have been forfeited and should be destroyed.

The BOC chief said the agency destroyed the fake products so it would not find its way in the market.

“We will not allow the Philippines to be a dumping ground of counterfeit goods. The BOC will ensure that manufacturers and distributors of genuine brands are protected. We are urging the public not to buy counterfeit products. Tigilan na po natin ito. Kapag wala pong tumatangkilik wala din pong bibili ng fake," Sevilla said.

Last April 2014, the BOC also destroyed more than 200 boxes of shoes imported from China after they were found to be fake at the Port of Davao.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Converse sues over iconic Chuck Taylor shoe

NEW YORK - Worn by millions all over the world, the Converse sneaker is a slice of Americana beloved by everyone from British public school boys to rap stars, from aged rockers to athletes.

But popularity has a dark side.

Converse Inc is complaining that more than two dozen companies are knocking off, mass-producing and selling imitations of its legendary Chuck Taylor shoe. And it's had enough.

On Tuesday, the Nike subsidiary filed lawsuits against 31 companies for breach of trademark. Among the defendants are Wal-Mart, Ralph Lauren Corporation and Tory Burch.

Of the 31 companies, four are based in China, two in Canada, one in Australia, one in Italy and one in Japan.

Converse is also demanding that the International Trade Commission ban imports, distribution, sale and use of imitation Converse footwear in the United States.

"We welcome fair competition, but we do not believe companies have a right to copy the Chuck's trademarked look," said Jim Calhoun, president and CEO of Converse Inc.

The Chuck made its debut on US basketball courts in 1917 and since then, Converse says it has sold one billion pairs of the shoe worldwide that bear the Asserted Trademark.

It claims to have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising the shoes, famous for their star, stripes and rubber toe tip, and acknowledges benefitting from extra publicity reaped from books, magazines, newspapers, movies and TV shows.

In one of the suits, Converse demands a trial by jury at the federal court in Brooklyn against Kmart Corporation.

It accuses the Illinois firm of trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution and unfair business practices.

The suit accuses Kmart of selling, distributing, promoting and advertising "confusingly similar" footwear and "intentionally and willfully" violating Converse's trademark rights.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com