Headlines: How New Balance Signed Cooper Flagg

The Athletic:

Suddenly, a video started playing of the Skowhegan factory, countless assembly lines within it and the process of a custom pair of basketball shoes being made. At one point, the father of one of Flagg’s former grassroots teammates--who still works at the facility--made an appearance. Then another worker shortly thereafter, proudly proclaiming that, "Cooper Flagg being from Maine and being the basketball prodigy that he is, it just gives you that sense of pride." Eventually, the 53-second clip ended with a still shot of the gray shoes, with "FLAGG" stitched directly onto the tongue. As the lights came up inside the Four Seasons conference room, Lokesh pulled out his grand finale: The pair of custom shoes from the video, straight from Maine, still the only pair of Cooper Flagg New Balances in existence.