Starbury

Last updated
Starbury, Inc.
Type Private
IndustryClothing line
Founded2006
Headquarters United States
Key people
 Stephon Marbury
Products Sneakers, apparel
Website http://www.starbury.com/

"Starbury" is the affectionate nickname for former NBA star Stephon Marbury. Known for his exceptional skills as a point guard, Marbury played for various NBA teams and earned two All-Star selections. Beyond the court, he made a lasting impact by championing affordable athletic footwear through his "Starbury" brand, aiming to make quality shoes accessible. Marbury's influence extended to China, where he played in the Chinese Basketball Association, winning championships and even receiving a statue in his honor. He also established the "Starbury Foundation" for charitable activities, emphasizing education and helping underprivileged children. Marbury's legacy encompasses basketball excellence, philanthropy, and promoting affordable sports access.

Contents

Background

Marbury remembers growing up in Brooklyn, New York City, and not being able to afford the latest shoes. [1] Having been inspired by a professor at Georgia Tech, Marbury has for a long time wanted to offer high-quality, inexpensive shoes to future generations of kids and basketball players, so that they would not have his same dilemma. He took this idea to Steve & Barry's, popular for on-campus university and college focused retailing. Using earnings from the Knicks, they agreed to manufacture the shoes in China, and to market them, with a third party involved to prevent sweatshop conditions. [2]

Products

Three different styles of Starbury shoes. Starbury shoes.jpg
Three different styles of Starbury shoes.

During the clothing line's inception, Marbury went across the United States appearing at malls to do promotion. In addition, he was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Good Morning America , Good Day New York , Live with Regis and Kelly , Rachael Ray and many other national media outlets.

Marbury is the designer of an initial shoe lineup entitled "Starbury" includes "The Starbury One," a basketball shoe which Stephon wore all season on the New York Knicks, "Starbury Crossovers," a classic "Air Force One"-style shoe which is listed at US$9.98, "Starbury Cyclones," shoes with similar styling to "New Balance" shoes, also retailed at $9.98 USD, and finally the "Starbury SXM," another basketball shoe listed at $9.98. Not only does the "Starbury" brand feature shoes but it also sells low priced clothes. The initial lineup includes varsity jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, jerseys, track jackets and pants, dazzle pants, jeans, jean jackets, and warm-up outfits, all under $10.

In a March 2007 New York Times interview, Andy Todd, president of Steve & Barry's, revealed that the Starbury line would be expanding from 50 products to over 200 sometime that spring. The line would include the "Starbury Two" sneaker, polo shirts, skateboard shoes, and other lifestyle products; all under $15. [3]

On April 1, 2007, Stephon Marbury released his second low-price NBA quality sneaker, the "Starbury Two". This shoe was also endorsed by former Detroit Pistons player Ben Wallace. Wallace now also has his own shoe, the "Big Ben", which came out on October 29, 2007, according to the Steve & Barry's website. The "Big Ben" also appeared in the music video The Rebirth by Christian hip hop artists Carriers Of the Cross. Other sneaker models which debuted on April 1[ year needed ] include a low-top version of the Starbury II, the "Starbury Team" (a high-top sneaker), the "Crossover LE" (the next incarnation of the low-top "Crossover") and has a "shiny" patent leather texture to it similar to Bape's "Bape-sta" sneaker, the "SXM Trainer"; the design is radically changed from the first "SXM" model, now a low-top cross-trainer made of nubuck material, the "Cyclone II" (sequel to the "Cyclone"), a nubuck jogging shoe, the "Bowery" (a low profile casual shoe), the "Surfside" (a nubuck skate shoe), and the "Tornado" (a running shoe).

New shoes include the SSE (Signature Special Edition), Danger, Marquis, Mirage, Downtown, Crib, Rush, Troy, and Trex.

Initial reception

Despite Marbury putting up subpar numbers, in 2006–07, the shoes still sold well and even then-teammate Steve Francis had shown his support by wearing the sneakers in games. [4] Some pairs have managed to sell for almost double the price on eBay auction listings. BusinessWeek named the line one of its best products of 2006. In November 2006, Stephon Marbury and Steve & Barry's announced Luis Da Silva, also known as Trikz, a streetball legend and "the world's best ball handler", would join Team Starbury as it hit the road on the Starbury SLAM tour. This tour would allow for Trikz to promote the Starbury movement by making appearance in Steve & Barry locations and schools across 120 cities in 60 days to perform his unique style of hip-hop themed basketball wizardry in front of Starbury fans. While Trikz never played for an NBA team, Stephon Marbury entrusted him to weave the message of the importance of working hard and acting responsibly into his performances. Marbury believed Trikz embodies the values of the Starbury Movement, which Andy Todd, president of Steve & Barry's, said: "The Starbury Movement is more than then just about promoting a product line. It's about helping change the world for the better. Trikz is not only a phenomenal performer; he's also a phenomenal guy who kids will enjoy seeing and hearing." The Starbury Collection was the result of Marbury's vision to eliminate the incredible pressure kids and parents feel to spend top dollar on the latest kicks and threads [5]

Findings on shoe quality

On March 23, 2007, Starbury was featured in a segment on the ABC show 20/20 (edition entitled "Enough!"), hosted by John Stossel. The segment dealt with the high price of sneakers and the role of Starbury and Marbury as an alternative. During the show, Marbury stated, "If you take my shoe and you take a $150 shoe, cut it down in half, and it is the same exact thing". Stossel put Marbury's statement to the test and a pair of Starbury Ones were brought to Professor Howard Davis, shoe design department professor at Parsons The New School for Design. Davis proceeded to cut apart the Starbury Ones and a pair of "$100 plus Air Jordans" and stated, "They're constructed the same way". Stossel then mentioned that "others in the business" came to the same conclusion.

Consumer Reports has tested the quality of the Starbury One and Starbury II. [6] The Starbury One "earned decent marks in our earlier tests", according to Consumer Reports. As for the Starbury II, six of nine "men's summer basketball league" players hired by Consumer Reports to test the shoe stated "they would not buy the Starbury II for basketball--they said it provided less comfort, stability, or impact absorption than their favorite shoe". Consumer Reports concluded "our measurements showed that its heel cushioning is very good, its forefoot cushioning is good, and that it's very breathable and fairly flexible" and "The Starbury II would be a fine casual, everyday shoe."

Discontinuation and reintroduction

Outlet Steve & Barry's closed in 2009 and the line was discontinued. In September 2015, Marbury announced via Instagram that the line would be reintroduced. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amar'e Stoudemire</span> American-Israeli basketball player and coach

Amar'e Carsares Jehoshaphat Stoudemire is an American-Israeli professional basketball coach and former player who most recently served as a player development assistant for the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2003 with the Phoenix Suns, who selected him with the ninth overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft. He made six appearances in the NBA All-Star Game and was named to the All-NBA Team five times, including one first-team selection in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephon Marbury</span> American basketball player

Stephon Xavier Marbury is an American former professional basketball player who is the head coach for the Beijing Royal Fighters of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). After his freshman year with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, he was selected as the 4th overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, but was traded shortly thereafter to the Minnesota Timberwolves. A two-time All-Star and two-time member of the All-NBA Team, Marbury played in the NBA from 1996 until 2009. He then played in the CBA until his retirement in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walt Frazier</span> American basketball player

Walter "Clyde" Frazier Jr. is an American former professional basketball player of the National Basketball Association (NBA). As their floor general and top perimeter defender, he led the New York Knicks to the franchise's only two championships, and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. Upon his retirement from basketball, Frazier went into broadcasting; he is currently a color commentator for telecasts of Knicks games on the MSG Network. In 1996, Frazier was honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team. In October 2021, Frazier was again honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebastian Telfair</span> American basketball player (born 1985)

Sebastian Telfair is an American former professional basketball player who played in the NBA and the Chinese Basketball Association. Telfair was picked thirteenth overall in the 2004 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers on the heels of an eminent high school career playing for Abraham Lincoln in Brooklyn. He had committed to the University of Louisville during his senior year, but decided to turn professional instead. Telfair is the cousin of former NBA player Stephon Marbury.

AND1 is an American footwear and clothing company specializing in basketball shoes, clothing, and sporting goods. AND1 was founded on August 13, 1993. The company focuses strictly on basketball and is a subsidiary of Sequential Brands Group. It sponsors NBA athletes, as well as numerous high school and AAU teams in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio McDyess</span> American basketball player (born 1974)

Antonio Keithflen McDyess is an American former professional basketball player. Listed at 6'9" and 240 lb (111 kg), McDyess played as a power forward.

The 1996 NBA draft was the 50th draft in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It was held on June 26, 1996 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In this draft, NBA teams took turns selecting college basketball players and other first-time eligible players, such as players from high schools and non-North American leagues. The Vancouver Grizzlies had the highest probability to win the NBA draft lottery, but since they were an expansion team along with the Toronto Raptors, they were not allowed to select first in this draft. The team with the second-highest probability, the Philadelphia 76ers, won the lottery and obtained the first selection. The Toronto Raptors and the Vancouver Grizzlies were second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Augusta Groove</span> Basketball team in Augusta, Georgia

The Augusta Groove was a team in the Premier Basketball League (PBL) that previously played in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and the modern American Basketball Association (ABA). Formerly, the team was known as the Charlotte Krunk in the ABA, where they played at Charlotte, North Carolina's Cricket Arena, and the Atlanta Krunk of the CBA.

Randolph Albert Morris is a retired former American professional basketball player.

Cezary Trybański is a Polish former professional basketball player. He is a 7'2" 235 lb center. He was the first Polish-born player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Edner Elisma is an American former professional basketball player who last played for Indios de San Francisco in Dominican Republic. In 1997–98 he was the top rebounder in the Israel Basketball Premier League.

Steve & Barry's was an American retail clothing chain, featuring casual clothing, footwear and accessories. Headquartered in Port Washington, New York, the chain operated 276 stores in 39 states before liquidating throughout 2008 and 2009.

The 1999–2000 NBA season was the Nets' 33rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 24th season in East Rutherford, New Jersey. During the off-season, the Nets re-acquired Johnny Newman from the Los Angeles Clippers, and re-signed free agent Sherman Douglas. Without Jayson Williams, who missed the entire season with a knee injury from the previous season, the Nets struggled losing 15 of their first 17 games, but would eventually get hot winning 13 of their next 18 games, and find themselves near the playoff picture with a 31–40 record as of March 30. However, a rash of late season injures cost the team to lose their final eleven games, finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 31–51 record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nike, Inc.</span> American athletic equipment company

Nike, Inc. is an American athletic footwear and apparel corporation headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, United States. It is the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$46 billion in its fiscal year 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luis Da Silva</span> Portuguese actor

Luis Fernando Da Silva Jr., also known as Trikz, is an American actor, basketball player, author, and producer. He gained fame after headlining the 2001 Nike Freestyle ad campaign.

The 2006–07 New York Knicks season was the 61st season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the off-season, the Knicks hired general manager Isiah Thomas as head coach. The team finished with a 33–49 record, which placed them fourth in the Atlantic Division. For the third consecutive season, New York did not make the NBA Playoffs. Eddy Curry led the team with 19.5 points per game, while Jamal Crawford averaged 17.6 points per game, and Stephon Marbury provided them with 16.4 points and 5.4 assists per game. Second-year forward David Lee played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 10.7 points and leading the team with 10.4 rebounds per game. Following the season, Steve Francis signed as a free agent with his former team, the Houston Rockets.

The 2005–06 New York Knicks season was the 60th season for the team in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Knicks had the eighth pick in the 2005 NBA draft, and selected Channing Frye from the University of Arizona. During the off-season, the Knicks hired head coach Larry Brown, acquired Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis from the Chicago Bulls, and acquired Quentin Richardson and rookie guard Nate Robinson from the Phoenix Suns. At mid-season, they traded Penny Hardaway and second-year forward Trevor Ariza to the Orlando Magic in exchange for All-Star guard Steve Francis, and dealt Davis back to his former team, the Toronto Raptors, in exchange for Jalen Rose.

The 2003–04 New York Knicks season was the 58th season for the Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Knicks signed All-Star center Dikembe Mutombo in free agency. The Knicks started the season by losing seven of their first nine games as fans at the Garden chanted "Fire Layden", in reference to general manager Scott Layden. Knicks fans would get their wish as Layden was fired and replaced by former Detroit Pistons star Isiah Thomas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Francis</span> American basketball player (born 1977)

Steven D'Shawn Francis is an American former professional basketball player. He was selected with the second overall pick of the 1999 NBA draft and was named co-NBA Rookie of the Year in his first season. He was a three-time NBA All-Star while playing for the Houston Rockets. Francis also played for the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks, finishing his career with the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. He was known for his crossover dribble, driving ability, and flashy dunks. He was given the nickname Stevie Franchise.

The 2003–04 NBA season was the 36th for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association. It was also the last season under longtime associate Jerry Colangelo's ownership, as he later sold the franchise to an ownership group led by Robert Sarver starting the following season. After advancing to the playoffs the previous season, the Suns started off to a disappointing start under head coach Frank Johnson. With the team at 8–13, team management elected to turn to assistant coach Mike D'Antoni to take over for Johnson. Under D'Antoni, the Suns would lose 40 of their next 61 games and miss the playoffs, finishing sixth in the Pacific division with a 29–53 regular season record, the first time since the 1987–88 season the Suns recorded 50 losses or more. The Suns played their home games at America West Arena.

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2006-10-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ http://www.thenation.com/doc/20061002/southpaw Archived 2007-10-16 at the Wayback Machine "The athletic shoe industry is notorious for some of the most appalling of sweatshop conditions. Are the Starbury Ones, made in China, produced in such a manner? Schacter says no."
  3. ↑ Rob Walker (March 11, 2007). "Chicer by the Dozen". The New York Times .
  4. ↑ "New York Knicks, Stephon Marbury, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com". Archived from the original on 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2006-12-08.
  5. ↑ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Luis+'Trikz'+Da+Silva+Joins+Team+Starbury.-a0154351449 [ dead link ]
  6. ↑ ConsumerReports.org - A cheap-chic shoe scores points October 2007
  7. ↑ Washington Post - Stephon Marbury is bringing back his 'Starbury' line of sneakers September 29, 2015
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.