*By Michael Teich*
Puma’s integration of music and fashion could be the key to the resurgence of its basketball division, said former ESPN host Bram Weinstein in an interview with Cheddar.
“It’s the one sport that really has a symbiotic relationship with pop culture.”
The athletic brand has inked deals with projected number one overall pick Deandre Ayton, in addition to standout players Marvin Bagley III and Zhaire Smith, but the addition of music mogul JAY-Z might be what gives Puma an edge over rival Nike. Weinstein said that if Nike does not transition from marketing that focuses solely on fitness, it could be a “miss” for them.
“This is a lifestyle thing. This is not necessarily about who’s scoring the most points,” Weinstein said.
Despite signing three of the last number one overall picks in the NBA Draft, Nike has yet to announce a new deal with a prospect from the 2018 draft, which takes place on June 21. Adidas has signed deals with Trae Young and Lonnie Walker IV. Puma has not had a deal with an NBA player since Vince Carter in 1998.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/pumas-full-court-press-on-nike-and-adidas).
New Jersey facilitated roughly $319 million in sports bets in May, nearly $2 million more than Nevada, which has long dominated the sector.
U.S. Olympic gold medalist Amanda Kessel is teaming up with the NHL's New York Rangers to provide an ice hockey league tailored to girls 11 to 14 in the New York City metro area this fall.
Tuesday was supposed to be a day to show off an iconic American company doubling down on its domestic manufacturing. Instead, it became another flash point in America's new culture wars.
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Olympic gold gymnast Laurie Hernandez won over our hearts at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Now, she has her mind set on the 2020 games. Hernandez joins Cheddar to talk about training this time around, her personal mantras, and partnering with Alcon to launch an 'Eye Can, Eye Will' campaign.
