Two-time NBA all-star Stephon Marbury and Steve & Barry?s University Sportswear hope to dispel the myth that only the most expensive basketball apparel is cool.
The New York Knick?s new Starbury Collection includes nearly 50 items, all less than $10 except Marbury?s official, on-court sneaker, which is a steal for just $14.98.
Yet with these extremely low prices, the question remains whether or not his sneaker, the Starbury One, will hold as much weight on the playground as the promoters hope. Or would an eighth-grader rather continue trying to convince his parents to pay at least ten times as much for new Air Jordans?
Marbury is currently on a nationwide promotional tour, hosting autograph signings at Steve & Barry locations and practicing with local high school teams. He?ll be signing autographs at 4 p.m. today at the Steve & Barry location in the Eastpoint Mall. A store manager said Marbury would probably stick around about an hour.
“The response has been great,” Marbury said. “Parents have been coming up to me crying, thanking me for doing this because their sons were killed over a basketball jersey ? now you can get one of mine for only $9.98.”
Marbury said he hopes to “start a new movement of educating kids and parents by showing them how ridiculously over-priced NBA apparel can be.” He said he does not want buyers to feel “held hostage by stores and their prices.”
The partnership between Marbury and Steve & Barry blossomed over their shared belief in Marbury?s movement away from high-priced merchandise.
“It is about time Steve & Barry gain the recognition in the retail business that they deserve,” Marbury said. Steve & Barry is known for rarely selling an article of clothing for more than $10.
Parents can dress their children in a complete new outfit from the clothing line for only $45.
