Basketball icon LeBron James appears to have publicised the next step of his partnership with Liverpool by sporting a unique shirt ahead of the LA Lakers' game against the San Antonio Spurs.
James, who previously owned shares in the Reds before acquiring a minority stake in Fenway Sports Group, was a key part of the Anfield club deciding to ditch their deal with New Balance in 2020 in favour of a switch to Nike. Part of Liverpool's attraction towards the American sports manufacturer was down to the influence of stars like LeBron, who have been able to propel the Reds in the market across the Atlantic.
The 38-year-old has now revealed the latest endorsement of the ongoing partnership between himself, the Anfield club and Nike by wearing a custom Liverpool kit that is expected to be released for sale in the upcoming months.
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LeBron was also seen wearing Liverpool-styled Air Max 1s on his arrival at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday evening, which could also be included in the highly-anticipated Liverpool x LeBron collaboration.
Although sources the ECHO spoke to earlier this year were unable to confirm any potential collaboration, the items of LeBron's outfit suggest it is a select range that could be made available to the public sooner rather than later. Leaked images of the new kit recently emerged, with the open secret now being fully revealed.
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner confirmed in November 2021 that the Reds would be working with the NBA icon to create "seven or eight" products that would "connect" LeBron with football in a similar way the legendary Michael Jordan did with Nike. French and European powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain have released a string of Nike x Jordan collaborations in recent years.
"We're doing a product line with LeBron and Liverpool. Nike is creating seven or eight products that connect LeBron with soccer," said Werner. "I don't know specifics yet, but they're going to create seven or eight products that rival the connection that Michael Jordan has with Nike."
LeBron's sporting of the unique, unreleased Liverpool shirt sparked plenty of excitement on social media from fans across the world as pre-game outfit choices of worldwide athletes continues to have a rising influence on fashion, with stars in both the NBA and NFL using their tunnel walk fits to gain a greater exposure of their, or other, brands.
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