When will Mavs star Kyrie Irving’s ANTA KAI 1 sneakers hit the market?

Kyrie Irving since joining the NBA in 2011 has cemented his name amongst the best ball handlers of the game. At this stage of his career, leaving a legacy has to be one of the top priorities on his bucket list and what can leave a lasting legacy better than a shoe?

Since Michael Jordan revolutionized the sneaker game in 1985, many of the NBA’s finest have ventured on the same path to present their game in a signature style exclusive to them. Kyrie Irving’s latest sneakers are set to do just that.

When is Kyrie Irving’s sneakers launch?

Kyrie Irving’s ANTA KAI 1 “Artist on Court” is set to hit the sneaker market. His first sneaker line since joining the brand will be available on ANTA’s official website and select retailers after its launch at Sneaker Politics in Dallas on March 6.

Kyrie Irving, who is known for his enigmatic fashion sense, has already publicly promoted the shoe by wearing it against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this month when he scored a game-high 36 points in a 119-107 win.

The purple color-themed shoe highlights the 8-time NBA All-Star’s Lakota lineage. The Mavs star shared the details of the release on his X (formerly known as Twitter) handle with the caption “For my Tribe,” indicating his membership in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The intricate designs of the shoe, along with the deftly crafted patterns, give it a majestic look and can be a steal for only $125.

Why did Kyrie Irving leave Nike?

Kyrie Irving and Nike mutually ended their endorsement deal in December 2022 after almost 8 years of partnership. In November 2022, Kyrie posted a link on his social media account indicating anti-Semitism and questioning the grim reality of the Holocaust.

Nike subsequently suspended the $11 million-a-year deal, and after a month, decided to pull the plug on all projects related to the then-Nets star. The Nets also handed the guard an 8-match suspension.

After the announcement of the split, Kyrie’s agent who is his step-mother, Shetellia Riley Irving, explained the decision. The agent-come-adviser told CNBC, “We have mutually decided to part ways and wish Nike the best in their future endeavours.” Irving also took to his X account (formerly known as Twitter) and posted a video that reads “There’s nothing more priceless than being free.”

Irving signed a deal with the Chinese brand ANTA in June last year but he was again in the headlines earlier this year after getting involved in an incident with a courtside rabbi. Though this time around things did not escalate as the previous occasion.