Just Bluff It: Nike Relsata kegeases New Signature Sneaker, the Nik Airballs

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Nik Airball recently made his long-awaited return to Hustler Casino Liveand invested in Doug Polk's poker room in Austin. But the polarizing high-stakes grinder just announced his biggest venture yet: a signature sneaker line that he believes will rival Nike's iconic Air Jordan brand.

The affectionately named "Nik Airballs" are rainbow tie-dye themed sneakers, complete with the word "airball" in yellow stitching, that will be sure to make poker players stand out and play confidently on the felt. They retail at a reasonable $299.99, less than a $2/$5 buy-in.

"Are you tired of looking like a fish at the poker table?," Airball said in a video promoting the shoe line. "Do you want to look like me as you crush your opponent? Then get your hands on my brand-new shoe line, the Nik Airballs. That’s right, MJ, I’m coming for you. Stick to basketball."

When asked what inspired his venture into footwear, Airball told PokerNewsthat it was because his name is "basically Nike without the 'e.'"

"That's why I did it," Airball, sporting a rare #45 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey, said. "And also to make back the $1 million I lost to Matt Berkey."

Sneak Peak at New Sneaker Line

Airball told PokerNewsabout his sneaker line during his return to HCL in Southern California on March 28 after a yearlong ban. He booked a $300,000 win on his first stream back thanks to an enormous pot against Alan Keating.

PokerNewsgot a glimpse of the new sneakers at a Los Angeles retailer, though they won't be available to buy until later this week. That said, Airball has said that preorders have exceeded initial projections.

Airball's attempt to compete with the most iconic shoe brand in the history of the US — Air Jordan — is quite interesting. Not only does Airball lack experience selling shoes — he's certainly no Al Bundy — he can't come close to matching Michael Jordan's celebrity status.

But he does have one thing going for him — heart. Airball is determined to compete against the Air Jordan brand that has been a staple at Nike since 1984.

Sonny Vacacaro, the man responsible for bringing Jordan to Nike, an upstart company in the 1980s, over 40 years ago, did not comment on the new Airballs shoe line.

Signing Jordan, an Olympic champion and college basketball star from the University of North Carolina at the time, turned out to be one of the smartest endorsement deals any company has ever made. Perhaps, Nik Airball's shoe line will have a similar effect on the $90 billion company.

The PokerNewsPodcast crew spoke about Airball's return to Hustler Casino Livein a March 13 episode.

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