Dwayne Wade Taps Jeff Staple for Pigeon-Inspired Way of Wade 'Street Legend' Collection

Miami Heat legend Dwayne Wade raised a lot of eyebrows when he departed Jordan Brand for Li-Ning in 2012. Unbeknownst to none at the time (perhaps with the exception of the former NBA guard), the move proved more lucrative and influential than had he stayed under the Nike, Inc. umbrella. His Way of Wade imprint backed by the Chinese sportswear giant has produced almost a dozen mainline signature sneakers, and endorsed professional talent as well. This year, Wade and team are looking to expand their audience, tapping Jeff Staple for assistance.

Neither Wade nor his basketball-focused label come to mind when thinking of "streetwear," but a co-sign from the pioneering creative. Staple's recent collaboration with Brooks had countless non-runners checking out the performance brand for the first time in their lives. The Staple x Li-Ning Ping Pong shoe has already done the same for the Chinese juggernaut despite a lack of official release details and the sport's lack of popularity out West. The cachet the New Jersey-native and his iconic Pigeon logo provide, however, is sure to win over some consumers.

So far, three collaborative pairs from the Way of Wade brand by Jeff Staple have surfaced. Detailed shots by Instagram user @weocia depict each sneaker's playful, multi-colored makeovers. The marquee Way of Wade 11 basketball sneaker opts for grey, black, and purple hues (amongst others) in an attempt to recreate the winged symbol of New York City. The Pigeon emblem appears on the midsole's lateral side, while a poop-like "stain" lands on the right shoe's toe box.

Two editions of the Way of Wade 1 Low get the 'Street Legend' treatment as well. Whereas one pair takes on a greyscale look traditionally associated with the Staple brand's mascot, the other draws more inspiration from its three-pronged feet. A pinkish-orange tone animates the mixed-materials upper's forefoot and tongue, with the latter boasting a detachable pigeon foot element. Raised components on the profiles also feature a miniature pattern of the pigeon foot. Outsoles deliver reliable performance while also indulging in the collaboration's theme.

An embroidered Pigeon logo appears on the predominantly-grey pair, likening the project to Staple's legendary Nike SB Dunk Low from 2005.

Firm release details for the Way of Wade 'Street Legend' collection haven't been disclosed at the time of writing, but that's likely to change once summer rolls rounds. Expect pricing to range from $180 to $225.

For more sneaker news, check out the Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0, the controversial artist's first collaboration with Nike since 2023.