The first episode of SneakerCenter, a seven-part series devoted to sneaker culture at the intersection of sports, entertainment and more, is available now exclusively on ESPN+.
- Hosted by ESPN reporter Cassidy Hubbarth and directed by award-winning filmmaker and acclaimed author Bobbito García, SneakerCenter tells the stories of star athletes, artists, enthusiasts and others who power the global sneaker marketplace.
- Each episode is anchored by a unique narrative, supported by a rotating set of “mix tape style” segments taking fans deep into every aspect of the sneaker movement.
- Episode 1 of SneakerCenter features a “Special Edition” interview with Grammy Award-winning rapper and musician Common, who discusses his life-long love affair with sneakers, dating back to his days as a ball boy for his hometown Chicago Bulls.
- The episode also includes:
- An “OG” interview with Derrick Rose, as he looks back at the evolution of his signature Adidas line.
- An “In-Soles” sit down with Jordan Dinwiddie, who has written some of Nike’s most powerful commercials created by ad agency Wieden & Kennedy.
- A “One of One” visit with British sneaker customizer Blunt Shank, as he creates a one-of-a-kind pair of Nike Blazers that pays tribute to the legacy of Common’s late father, who played basketball for the ABA’s Denver Rockets.
- Upcoming episodes of SneakerCenter will feature WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, Kawhi Leonard, Penny Hardaway, and other superstar athletes and entertainers from the NBA, NFL and other major sports, as well as segments highlighting sneaker enthusiasts at important places and events around the world.
- New episodes will debut on Tuesdays this fall.
- A special preview episode of SneakerCenter, which premiered over the summer, features NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as Nike prepared for the production and release of his first signature shoe, the Zoom Freak 1, as well as Antetokounmpo’s return to Greece to share his story growing up as a Nigerian immigrant turned international basketball superstar.
- Check out Mack’s review of that special preview episode.
Subscribe to ESPN+ to enjoy SneakerCenter and other great exclusive content.