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NIKE SNEAKERBALL 2014 EVENT
Last weekend saw the NIKE SNEAKERBALL 2014 event take place in Madrid. Coinciding with the FIBA Basketball World Cup also taking place in the Spanish city, this year’s Sneakerball asked Europe’s hoops junkies to #comeoutinforce and lace up their baddest ball shoes for a spectacular exhibition and party – and they didn’t disappoint!
Madrid’s Palacio de Comunicaciones is a mightily impressive building, and certainly looks like the type of place you’d find a good exhibition – but probably not one that features a Basketball 3v3 tournament and dunk contest. Nike didn’t pick an obvious spot for the 2014 Sneakerball, but by taking over the town hall’s vast central courtyard (complete with it’s impressive suspended glass roof) and adding a half court and bleachers, they created the most fancy basketball arena Europe’s ever seen, and the perfect venue for several hundred Swoosh fans to party.
With such a spectacular space to fill Nike clearly had to bring out the good stuff, and they responded with sets of huge custom glass cabinets, showcasing some of the rarest and most notable basketball shoes from 1972 to 2014. All the OG Jordans were there, but our attention was stolen by a superb line-up of the original Air Force family, featuring the often overlooked Force II, III, STS, and V, the Infamous Command Force and ‘Sir Charles’ affiliated Alpha Force and 180 Force lows. DJ Clark Kent also showcased some of his private stock of Air Force Ones, which left more than a few people pointing and shaking heads in disbelief, seeing pairs that until now they’d only heard of on mythical blog-lists of the best AF1’s ever.
On foot it was clear that the invite-only crowd were serious about their basketball shoes, sporting pretty much every variety of Air Jordan along with a choice selection of Air Force 1’s, Foamposites, Barkley’s and even an Air Carnivore. Our pair of the night went to one of Madrid’s own, Hugo, who brought out his 2008 Hyperdunk Marty Mcflys – An amazing colourway, and a key shoe in the recent history of Nike basketball.
After a browse, the festivities tipped off with the #searchforthebaddest 3v3 tournament, which saw teams from London, Paris, Madrid and Amsterdam trade jump shots and hard fouls in a proper streetball battle for supremacy – Amsterdam’s Team Oqium coming out with the victory.
Then it was onto the dunk contest – these days often a dull sideline at NBA events, here it was literally next level, being fiercely fought over and bringing out some ridiculously athletic attempts and vicious finishes – Poland’s 6”2’ Rafa Lipek eventually edging the win with a crazy 540-degree spinning reverse.
Sports done with, the evening shifted into full party mode – we took full advantage of the complimentary beers and proceeded to talk footwear with the great and good of Europe’s sneaker obsessed, while DJ Clark Kent and Boys Noize got heads busy on the dance floor until the small hours.
No question Nike and Madrid combined to serve up a killer event, which hints at some big things coming down the line for the Air Force range soon. Shouts to Nike for inviting us and letting us be part of it!
By @slangwerks
