Puma’s return to the basketball sneaker game hasn’t just meant that it has made kicks for a collection of NBA players. With its recently-acquire mantle as the new kid on the block, Puma has decided to get involved in advocacy, most notably with the Puma Clyde Court Peace On Earth, for which $5 of every purchase went to the Trayvon Martin Foundation.
The next upcoming Puma release will take a similar approach to raising money for an important cause, as the company announced the debut of the Clyde Court #Reform. The sneaker was inspired by Meek Mill and his passion for criminal justice reform, and in a release, Puma announced that 100 percent of proceeds from sales of the sneaker will go towards the REFORM Alliance, an organization spearheaded by Meek Mill, Jay-Z, Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Ruben, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
#REFORM is here. Every CLYDE COURT REFORM is a stand against the broken criminal justice system. 100% of net proceeds from every pair sold will benefit The Reform Alliance. pic.twitter.com/G0UKQLM8Ap
— PUMA Basketball (@PUMAHoops) January 24, 2019
The kicks follow the general design of all the Clyde Court releases so far. It’s an all-black colorway with a few interesting details, like #REFORM in gold letters on the tongue and a quote by Olympic gold medalist and Puma ambassador Tommie Smith — “We had to be seen because we couldn’t be heard” — on the outer sole.
Proud to stand with @MeekMill in the fight against criminal injustice. Clyde Court #REFORM drops on February 1. Join the movement. pic.twitter.com/KPdUPtbWxv
— PUMA Basketball (@PUMAHoops) January 25, 2019
Per a release, the black is meant to represent the American criminal justice system in which “many people face unjust sentences that do not fit the crimes for which they have been convicted,” the red represents the “blood and sacrifice” of those who fight for justice, and the gold looks to celebrate “the victories that we will achieve together when organizations and individuals come together to work for much needed reform.”
Those who watched the Golden State Warriors or the Phoenix Suns play on Thursday night got a glimpse at the kicks, as Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins and Suns center Deandre Ayton wore them on the floor.
PUMA unveiled the Clyde Court #REFORM, inspired by @MeekMill's push to reform the criminal justice system and Olympian Tommie Smith’s fight for universal equality. 100% of net proceeds go to Reform Alliance (@REFORM). DeMarcus Cousins/Deandre Ayton are wearing the shoes tonight. pic.twitter.com/ziLv1hfYKr
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) January 25, 2019
#REFORM @PUMAHoops pic.twitter.com/De308dLabz
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) January 24, 2019
The sneakers also got some love on Twitter from Raptors wing Danny Green and Kings big man Marvin Bagley III.
Change laws and policies while also changing hearts and minds ✊🏽 #REFORM @meekmill @pumahoops pic.twitter.com/vqCz4Nj2hO
— Danny Green (@DGreen_14) January 25, 2019
#REFORM @PUMAHoops pic.twitter.com/YSfbTt92fQ
— Marvin Bagley III (@MB3FIVE) January 24, 2019
Puma will drop the Clyde Court #Reform on Feb. 1.
