What Could’ve Been: adidas Instinct Yao Ming Player Exclusive

Before Reebok signed Shanghai product Yao Ming to an exclusive contract that would allow for limitless marketing potential in densely populated China, the 7’6 center flirted with brands from across the industry, trying to find the perfect fit. Yao’s extensive negotiations led to Adidas fabricating a one-of-one look- see sample of the high-rising adidas Instinct with his name stitched across the ankle. The shoe is toned up in Houston Rockets poppyseed red and sunshine yellow and features the brand’s trefoil logo inscribed on the heel and mesh accents on the sneaker’s lateral side midpanel. This size 17 model is for sale on the ‘Bay for less than $200.