COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry’s latest signature shoe, the “Curry 4,” hit stores today. The shoe is expected to help Baltimore-based Under Armour recover from recent financial losses.
The sports apparel company, headquartered in Baltimore, has experienced a 50.4 percent decline in stock price since Oct. 25, 2016, and their financial reports show a $12.3 million net loss in the last quarter, which ended June 30.
After three poorly received iterations of Curry’s signature sneaker, the company may have finally created a shoe that resonates with customers and will boost sales.
Ahead of today’s release, Curry gave his fans a behind the scenes look at the shoe’s development.
Shoutout to my man #kortneumann on killing the design of the #Curry4. It was great collaborating with you my man. Respect. pic.twitter.com/IEtdn0Lelv
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) October 27, 2017
The shoes are already generating buzz and many social media users think this may be Under Armour’s best shoe.
Curry 4 might be the best basketball shoe UA has ever made.
— Ezekiel Baez (@ZekeBaez) October 27, 2017
Curry actually has one with the Curry 4’s. Curious to see how UA will elaborate with the Color ways.
— Lombardo (@Lom_PHIL_Bardo) October 27, 2017
If I was still hooping I’d give those Curry 4’s a run. They don’t look half bad. I’ve been retired for almost a decade now though.
— e will (@coach_ewill) October 27, 2017
Others are underwhelmed by the new kicks.
Waited to get the curry 4 champions pack and it sold out in
.0000000000001 seconds lol unbelievable smh ?— Dustin Lindner (@DLind_30) October 17, 2017
Saw an email saying “ pre-order the Curry 4’s now” pic.twitter.com/Nj7txNsQV8
— Plantain Supernova (@MettaDamnFool) October 27, 2017
Brief Curry 4 Review:
– “SC” doesn’t need to be the size of a Times Square billboard
– Hate that power button on side
– Like the icy sole pic.twitter.com/T93BZEpgfd— Tim Ryan (@TheSportsHernia) October 27, 2017
he said my rhymes are ugly like steph curry shoes ????????????????????
— kira. ? (@blessedone___) October 27, 2017
One unfortunate reaction to the shoe came from a video game player who is having trouble with the virtual version of the sneakers. After equipping his “Create A Player” on NBA2k18 with the “Curry 4s,” he received backlash from the video game’s Nike executives.
Rocked my Curry4 to the playground and Nike didnt like that… C’mon @NBA2K @Ronnie2K let wear what we wanna wear pic.twitter.com/6k5J7tekAn
— Shaun (@shauntco) October 27, 2017
In addition to the black and white design, Curry has already released numerous special color schemes and will likely add more. Though it’s too early to talk hard sales numbers, the excitement from fans and sneaker enthusiasts indicate that the shoes may be a slam dunk for Under Armour.