Writing Feature Articles - Step 1 - Lesson 1 | Page 66

Intermediate

Writing Feature Articles - Lesson
Writing Feature Articles - Handout . a

Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________

. a: Feature Articles Packet -

(page of

)

“NBA Star Sell

Sneakers” continued

The big companies say it’s not built as well as their shoes. But one of the shoe’s designers, T.J.
Gray, told a newspaper reporter, "We're building them with the same construction, we're using similar
materials.”
And consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who has been challenging James over conditions in the Chinese
factories where his shoes are made, singled out Marbury for praise in an open letter posted online at
LeagueOfFans.org.
Addressed to James, the post said that Marbury "challenged the entire basketball sneaker industry, in
part, to present inner-city kids with an affordable (yet still stylish and well-made) alternative to the $150
shoes that you and others endorse."
Instead of taking millions to wear somebody else’s shoes, Stephon Marbury decided to take nothing up
front to wear his own. Instead, he gets a royalty on each pair sold. Wallace has the same deal.

Celizic, Mike. (April 5, 2007). “NBA Star Sells $15 Sneakers.” Today Show, http://today.msnbc.msn.com/
id/17962620/ Permission pending.

© 2010, Teaching Matters, Inc.

www.teachingmatters.org

Page 225