James Blake duct tape shoes really bother me for some reason...

[dropkicker777]

I know hes sponsored by FILA and all but why does he have to put ugly tape on his nike cages and make them look goofy, djokovic wears adidas when hes sponsored by ST, most lacoste players wear other brand shoes, for me shoes are more important to a tennis players performance so they should have the right to pick their shoe of choice and wear them with dignity, and not have to cover a logo with tape, plus wtf roddick no show socks? whats next is he gonna wear a visor or something?, o wait he already did that

 

[Rorsach]

Most likely because he isn't sponsored by Nike.

 

[montrealforum]

Fila is nuts for letting Blake do that. I mean the message from Blake is clear, I like my old Nikes a lot more than those junk Fila shoes. Fila should not endorse any player who does not want to to wear their shoes. Especially one on his last legs of this career.

 

[dropkicker777]

Most likely because he isn't sponsored by Nike.

so milos raonic, every other lacoste player is sponsored by nike for shoes? what about richard gasquet with asics?

 

[ssonosk]

He'd probably get sued if he didn't tape them

and i don't richard is sponsord by asics, and people can have a clothing sponsor and a different shoe sponsor

 

[Gasolina]

Yes Djoko is still an adidas player. Even if its just for shoes (which is the most important piece of equipment apart from your damn racquet by the way)

He's always featured in the adidas tennis FB page

 

[baseline_monster]

Fila is nuts for letting Blake do that. I mean the message from Blake is clear, I like my old Nikes a lot more than those junk Fila shoes. Fila should not endorse any player who does not want to to wear their shoes. Especially one on his last legs of this career.

Maybe it suggests that Fila is not doing a good job and cant produce him a pair of suitable shoes?? I am pretty sure when he signed the contract they promised him they would do so. As for the tape, he is obviously doing it at Filas request... Also, if Adidas can do custom shoes, such as the Murray "5.5's", they I am sure Fila could do some work on Blakes shoes. The shoes are the most important bit of kit a player wears.

 

[cghipp]

It seems logical, if Blake's contract with Fila is only for clothes. Why should he promote Nike if they're not paying him? The average person watching (and even the average tennis player, probably) doesn't know that's a Nike shoe unless they can see the logo.

 

[Fee]

For the most part, Lacoste does not sign players to shoe contracts, they only sign players to clothing contracts so their players are free to do what they want on their feet. Roddick got a shoe deal with Babolat, the others are probably buying their Nikes or whatevers.

Novak's deal with ST does not include shoes because they do not have high performance shoes suitable for him to wear on tour, but I think they are working on something for the future. Not sure if Adidas is supplying Novak's shoes or not.

Blake's contract with Fila is for clothing and shoes, and that's why he has to tape over the Nike logo. It's that simple.

 

[pvaudio]

I love how people say not to sponsor Blake because he's at the end of his career. Yes, he's old. He is, however, still very recognized on court.

 

[Jchurch]

Looks a bit goofy. I would unthread the swooshes and shave off the ones embedded in plat the plastic rather than using the duct tape.

 

[Devilito]

I love how people say not to sponsor Blake because he's at the end of his career. Yes, he's old. He is, however, still very recognized on court.

yeah 12 year old nobody juniors are sponsored yet James Blake shouldn't be lol. Some people are insane. There are different levels of sponsorship. Blake doesn't need to be getting 10 billion like Federer or Nadal but someone of his name recognition should be able to work out some sort of a deal. Plus the champion’s tour is becoming more prolific making post ATP sponsorships important to consider for players like him.

 

[dropkicker777]

i guess the next question is where is he getting breathe cages when nike doesn't make them any more, is he putting the tape on himself or does he have his FILA goofballs doing the dirty work, this is an outrage! give the man some shoes he likes or let him wear the shoes without tape, hes the only tennis pro that i know that has to put up with this garbage

 

[baseline_monster]

I think the guy should be commended for using what he likes and being true. He still uses, until recently maybe, 10 year old rackets because he likes them. It was only 2 years ago when Novak made the switch that the mob came out on here calling him a sell out for going with the big contract.... some people need to GET A LIFE!!!! These guys must spend about 4+ hours a day in the trainers so they have to be right. As I said before, it's Fila that should be questioned for not being able to cater for there pro players. Even though his ranking is bad at the min, Blake will sell and endorse the brand better than most of the Fila players due to his effort and the things he has done in his career on and of the court.

 

[Rabbit]

I love how people say not to sponsor Blake because he's at the end of his career. Yes, he's old. He is, however, still very recognized on court.

You know what I love? Puppies.

 

[montrealforum]

the shoe Blake wears is taped up, if I'm not mistaken, to make it look like the Fila shoe which is called the Alpha.

 

[baseline_monster]

the shoe Blake wears is taped up, if I'm not mistaken, to make it look like the Fila shoe which is called the Alpha.

No mate, does not look a bit like it fella

 

[Al Czervik]

yeah 12 year old nobody juniors are sponsored yet James Blake shouldn't be lol. Some people are insane. There are different levels of sponsorship. Blake doesn't need to be getting 10 billion like Federer or Nadal but someone of his name recognition should be able to work out some sort of a deal. Plus the champion’s tour is becoming more prolific making post ATP sponsorships important to consider for players like him.

Right. I think Nike would give him whatever he wants for free, they just don't want to pay him anymore. So, he either feels allegiance/is contractually required to black out those Nikes, or he just hates Nike and doesn't want to give them the publicity. I am sure Nole isn't paying for his Adidas, even if he may not have a shoe deal with them.

 

[CDestroyer]

the shoe Blake wears is taped up, if I'm not mistaken, to make it look like the Fila shoe which is called the Alpha.

Haha, now they have paint jobbed shoes huh?

 

[vandre]

Looks a bit goofy. I would unthread the swooshes and shave off the ones embedded in plat the plastic rather than using the duct tape.

dude, you're really put some thought into this, huh?

 

[struggle]

perhaps Fila doesn't make a grass court shoe (sole).

they are different, after all.

 

[courtking]

I love how people say not to sponsor Blake because he's at the end of his career. Yes, he's old. He is, however, still very recognized on court.

I have not seen a heard one single junior/player that wants to replicate James Blake.. One would a player want to copy a head case, overate player that over the hill?? Blake is ******* off that Nike pull off his contract so he just want to make a statement and tape it up.. that's simple!

 

[adidasman]

I think the guy should be commended for using what he likes and being true. He still uses, until recently maybe, 10 year old rackets because he likes them. It was only 2 years ago when Novak made the switch that the mob came out on here calling him a sell out for going with the big contract.... some people need to GET A LIFE!!!! These guys must spend about 4+ hours a day in the trainers so they have to be right. As I said before, it's Fila that should be questioned for not being able to cater for there pro players. Even though his ranking is bad at the min, Blake will sell and endorse the brand better than most of the Fila players due to his effort and the things he has done in his career on and of the court.

He should be commended for taking Fila's money and basically lying about what shoes he wears by taping over the logos? Yeah, that's really noble of him.

 

[adidasman]

Djokovic has a shoe contract with adidas; I'd wager the Lacoste guys all have some kind of deal with whichever brand of shoes they wear. But Sampras did this for years, too, wearing his old Wilson Pro Staff shoes with Nike logos tacked onto the sides.

 

[baseline_monster]

He should be commended for taking Fila's money and basically lying about what shoes he wears by taping over the logos? Yeah, that's really noble of him.

Are you for real???? You make Fila out to be some kind of bullied school child, grow up and get real man. He tapes because Fila tell him to, if Fila were not happy they would cancel the contract. They still earn loads. Trust me dude, I worked in the sports trade for years and know about this. The player looks out for him self and what he plays best in and you worry about one of the richest sports brands around...

 

[chip&chrge]

To me this whole thread is a little sad. Let's assume James wears the Nike's because they work for his feet and game and he's no longer sponsored by Nike. What's the big deal here?

I'm pretty sure none of us know what is in Blake's contract with Fila...why does a player have to have to wear both the shoes and clothes of the same company?

I mean going back to the days of Borg who famously wore Fila apparel also wore Diadora shoes. This is not only a rival sportswear company but also another Italian company, so an interesting example.

I say stick with the things that work for you James Blake...it appears every little bit could only help at this point. As for the duct tape, do what you gotta do to keep the funds coming in without lawsuit.

 

[Fedace]

Fila is nuts for letting Blake do that. I mean the message from Blake is clear, I like my old Nikes a lot more than those junk Fila shoes. Fila should not endorse any player who does not want to to wear their shoes. Especially one on his last legs of this career.

Fila shoe is not junk. it has great cushioning. What is that Nike shoe ?? must be a Legend.

 

[montrealforum]

It's not taped with electric tape but it's a homemade job to make the nike look like Fila.

Agree Fedace, Fila is a good shoe, But Blake doctoring up his Nike to look like a Fila does not look good on Fila.

 

[ngtaj88]

I like how Blake has the Donnay stencil on his racquet now.
(1st image on this page)

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&assetType=image&ep=2&p=james+blake

 

[Ronaldo]

Expected to see JB so down on his luck he ducttaped the soles of his shoes. And yes we did back in the day.

 

[Bobby Jr]

He'd probably get sued if he didn't tape them

By who? Players can wear whatever they like as long as their sponsor is OK with it.

In his case maybe it's Fila who asked him to tape the shoes up. They know they don't make player suitable shoes so allow some to wear other shoes.

 

[mctennis]

Most likely because he isn't sponsored by Nike.

That's my guess too. Some of these guys are so money hungry they won't wear anything unless they get $$$. Blake should just be happy he is still in the bigs and not wrestling around in the satellite leagues. I feel sorry for him struggling so much.

 

[ssonosk]

By who? Players can wear whatever they like as long as their sponsor is OK with it.

In his case maybe it's Fila who asked him to tape the shoes up. They know they don't make player suitable shoes so allow some to wear other shoes.

If he has a contract with Fila and they said he couldn't wear them without the swoosh they could most likely sue him, or drop him for breaking contract.

 

[mctennis]

Expected to see JB so down on his luck he ducttaped the soles of his shoes. And yes we did back in the day.

I remember one male Russian player that ended up playing in the finals of a big tournament that did that. His coach was running around in the locker room trying to borrow some shoes for him to wear for the final. I think his last name started with a "M". He had duct tape on his shoes since he was only given (via courtesy of the Russian communism generosity) one pair of shoes a year and one can of balls a month to use. Seeing Blake wearing the duct tape brought that other poor guy to mind.

 

[Fee]

To me this whole thread is a little sad. Let's assume James wears the Nike's because they work for his feet and game and he's no longer sponsored by Nike. What's the big deal here?

I'm pretty sure none of us know what is in Blake's contract with Fila...why does a player have to have to wear both the shoes and clothes of the same company?

I mean going back to the days of Borg who famously wore Fila apparel also wore Diadora shoes. This is not only a rival sportswear company but also another Italian company, so an interesting example.

I say stick with the things that work for you James Blake...it appears every little bit could only help at this point. As for the duct tape, do what you gotta do to keep the funds coming in without lawsuit.

No we don't know exactly what is in Blake's contract, all we have is the press releases and such that came out when the contract was signed. It was a clothing and shoes deal, and Blake has been seen wearing Fila shoes. A player doesn't have to wear the clothes and shoes of the same company, unless that's what is in his contract, and most companies do both now (ST and Lacoste being the most notable exceptions).

As for Borg and his contracts way back when, if I remember correctly, he had different contracts depending on what country he was playing in. Contracts back then were not the same that they are now.

I am sure that James is taping over the Nike logo because Fila told him to, not because he doesnt want nike to get free publicity. Fila has developed a clothing line with James in honor of his father, he is not going to **** all over that contract over a pair of shoes.

 

[adidasman]

Are you for real???? You make Fila out to be some kind of bullied school child, grow up and get real man. He tapes because Fila tell him to, if Fila were not happy they would cancel the contract. They still earn loads. Trust me dude, I worked in the sports trade for years and know about this. The player looks out for him self and what he plays best in and you worry about one of the richest sports brands around...

No, I make James Blake out to be dishonest by endorsing a product he doesn't use. I don't feel sorry for Fila - I just think, if he says he wears Fila shoes, he should wear Fila shoes. If they can't make a shoe he likes, he shouldn't have signed with them. I don't feel sorry for Fila, for goodness' sake. This is their decision, letting him tape up his shoes. I get how things work, "dude" - but thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.

 

[rovex]

I wonder when his contract with Fila ends but one thing is certain they won't keep him once it's up.

Overall it was a poor decision on fila's behalf to sign someone who's best days were behind him, and it appears as though these are worrying times for the company with no stand out player under their hood.

 

[baseline_monster]

No, I make James Blake out to be dishonest by endorsing a product he doesn't use. I don't feel sorry for Fila - I just think, if he says he wears Fila shoes, he should wear Fila shoes. If they can't make a shoe he likes, he shouldn't have signed with them. I don't feel sorry for Fila, for goodness' sake. This is their decision, letting him tape up his shoes. I get how things work, "dude" - but thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.

As far as I've seen, he isnt down as endorsing a single shoe. Who knows lol.

 

[Fee]

I am seriously shaking my head at some of the comments in this thread.

The original press release has been removed from the Fila site due to a re-design, but it was posted on a different tennis forum: tennis 4 you dot com http://www.**********.com/forum/index.php?topic=11639.0

Please note the 3rd paragraph:
James will wear Fila branded or co-branded tennis apparel and footwear exclusively on court and he will be featured in Fila’s worldwide marketing efforts. He is the first top ten American male in over ten years to sign with Fila. James will debut in Fila’s Collezione Apparel Collection and the Fila Alfa shoe at the Australian Open in Melbourne. (Jan 14, 2009)

 

[BreakPoint]

Most likely because he isn't sponsored by Nike.

But he used to be. Maybe he's just showing his animosity towards Nike for dumping him. Like when Sampras taped an American flag over the Nike swoosh on his shirts when Nike wouldn't give him the money he demanded during this contract renewal negotiations. :shock:

 

[BreakPoint]

perhaps Fila doesn't make a grass court shoe (sole).

they are different, after all.

^^^^^^^

This.

Many pros wear Nike shoes at Wimbledon because they can get them with a grass court sole (pimpled).

 

[Bobby Jr]

If he has a contract with Fila and they said he couldn't wear them without the swoosh they could most likely sue him, or drop him for breaking contract.

People just don't bother to sue of such rubbish. If they had such a contract they'd just say: oi.. Blake, sort it or you're out of here.

Sponsors like their players - they don't treat them like idiots. They discuss things.

 

[Markov]

All those millions and this is the best he can come up with?. In terms of marketing, this is ludicrous.

 

[ssonosk]

People just don't bother to sue of such rubbish. If they had such a contract they'd just say: oi.. Blake, sort it or you're out of here.

Sponsors like their players - they don't treat them like idiots. They discuss things.

ha tell that to Mcdonalds, and i'm not saying they would sue him without consulting him. I was saying if he chose not to listen to them they could sue him or drop him.

 

[goran_ace]

^^^^^^^

This.

Many pros wear Nike shoes at Wimbledon because they can get them with a grass court sole (pimpled).

Yes. He's contractually obligated to wear Fila shoes, but since they don't make a grass court shoe he chooses to wear some Nike shoes that do come with a grass court sole and must cover the logos.

 

[goran_ace]

I have not seen a heard one single junior/player that wants to replicate James Blake..

hmmm... hits hard off both sides but a total headcase who can't figure out how to win. Sounds like a lot of junior tennis players already are replicating JB.

 

[origmarm]

Many pros wear Nike shoes at Wimbledon because they can get them with a grass court sole (pimpled).

Indeed. I think Murray wore Cages one year on clay also if I'm not mistaken. It seems that sometimes either the player doesn't like the grass/clay specific shoe or the company just doesn't make them (which wouldn't surprise me for FILA).

 

[Thud and blunder]

FWIW Fila do make grass court shoes (you can buy the Fila Alfa grass shoes at the Wimbledon shop)

 

[baseline_monster]

Indeed. I think Murray wore Cages one year on clay also if I'm not mistaken. It seems that sometimes either the player doesn't like the grass/clay specific shoe or the company just doesn't make them (which wouldn't surprise me for FILA).

Thats right, he wore the aqua blue cages on clay then wore vapors on the grass, in either 07 or 08. Like when Novak wore the Cages at Wimby.

 

[adidasman]

You know what I love? Puppies.

And I love chihuahuas who've had extra fur duct-taped onto them so that they look like Lhasa Apsos.