told me at the time<\/a>. “I had an unbelievable opportunity here to try and follow in similar footsteps, but in a different capacity hopefully.”<\/p>\nIn China this week for his latest region-wide tour with Li-Ning, that opportunity and vision of Wade’s has come to fruition all these years later, as the future Hall of Famer and company announced a new lifetime deal for the brand’s defining basketball ambassador.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe are excited to formally announce such a rare partnership with Dwyane Wade,” said Li Ning, company CEO, founder and the brand’s namesake. “With a lifetime of collaboration in front of us, we look forward to creating new ways to work with Dwyane to bring basketball to both China and around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Wade discussed over the phone just after the announcement, in addition to new products and stores throughout the region, a big focus going forward will also be launching basketball camps throughout China, passing on his knowledge of the game and sharpened skillset to a new generation of players.<\/p>\n
Read ahead for thoughts from an understandably excited Wade, who was still taking it all in alongside his wife and son as they celebrated the news of the new lifetime Li-Ning partnership.<\/p>\n
Nick DePaula: As you were closing in on finalizing this lifetime agreement, what were some of the biggest factors you were looking for?<\/strong><\/p>\nDwyane Wade: When I decided to make the move in 2012, that was the vision, to be able to go to China and build a brand that was lifetime worthy. I’m going on my 7th year with the brand, and to be at the press conference today and shaking hands with Mr. Li Ning, knowing that we’re in our relationship and our partnership and the business has gone well and is headed in a direction that we’re all excited for in the future, it was just so cool.<\/p>\n
It just makes you feel good when someone believes in you. There are always times where we doubt ourselves, for whatever reason, and I’ve definitely had that doubt before. The Li-Ning company and Mr. Li Ning have definitely shown their belief in me and their vision for what my brand can become out here.<\/p>\n
It’s a really cool moment for my son, my wife and some of my friends to be here. I just hope to be able to inspire so many [players], so that if they one day have this same crossroads, where they have to decide, ‘Should I or shouldn’t I?’ I’m glad to be one of the people that can say, ‘I think you should.’<\/p>\n
NDP: You have 11 Wade stores already in China \u2013 what is the plan to expand that even more, and will there also be more of a focus on the US market this time around?<\/strong><\/p>\nDW: That’s always in the works. We want to build more. For us, it becomes about doing even more. One of our goals is to also bring Wade camps all over and really touch kids at a younger age. Mr. Li Ning is very passionate about it, and I’m going to do my part in the community and be passionate about it as well. It’s another opportunity to make sure that our brand is visible. We’re looking to pass down the game over here. Some of the things that we’re doing in the present, we couldn’t even think about doing [in 2012.]<\/p>\n
<\/strong>NDP: You’re now launching your 7th shoe \u2013 what have been some of the biggest things you’ve learned during the process of building out your signature line \u2013 and what would you say are the hallmarks of the Way of Wade line?<\/strong><\/p>\nDW: The hallmarks of our shoes are really doing it the way that I want to do it. Going back to day 1, it was not your typical basketball shoe. In China and everywhere I go, they can’t wait for me to bring that first shoe back. Doing it our way, and the motto is \u201cmaking my own way.\u201d Listening to our fanbase and seeing what is needed.<\/p>\n