Vintage Ad: Glen Rice NAUTICA

Today we take you back to 1997 for one of the more random sneaker sponsorships: Glen Rice and Nautica.

words & images // Zack Schlemmer

Fresh off his NBA All Star Game MVP honors in 1997 Glen Rice inked a deal for a new sneaker sponsor.  Nike? Reebok? Converse? And 1? Maybe even Dada? Nope, none of the above.  It was none other than NAUTICA that Glen Rice would be wearing!

Nautica was, and still is, known mostly for their sailing inspired sportswear and casual wear for men, mostly worn by the "preppie" crowd.  Near the end of the 90's they decided to get into the athletic market and Glen Rice was the face for their NAUTICA COMPETITON line.  Nautica's venture into the serious athletic sportswear market didn't last long, but at least we got this awesome four page ad spread out of it.  This appears to be Nautica Competition's debut ad with Glen Rice showing off his new Nautica duds while playing ball and looking cool in his sunglasses.  As for the shoes, they look very clunky and I think most of us would agree that they wouldn't be our first choice to wear on the court.  Nonetheless, it's still fun to look back at this odd little piece of sneaker history. 

     Glen Rice PE in Charlotte Hornets colorway. (pic via gamewornuniforms.com)