Stephen Curry rocks small Bay Area brand LACES courtside, sparking a hat frenzy

A hat worn by NBA star Stephen Curry during a game propelled the Bay Area brand LACES into the spotlight, resulting in a staggering 10,000% increase in sales. Jeff Chu, who oversees operations for LACES, noted that the brand had to shift to pre-orders due to the overwhelming demand. Launched a year and a half ago, LACES aims to provide name, image, and likeness opportunities to all college athletes, promoting inclusivity in sports marketing. Jamie Pope, a community manager and Division I tennis player, shared how the experience has been life-changing, allowing athletes to engage in product design and marketing strategies. The upside-down "Bay Area" logo has become a symbol of the brand's mission to uplift lesser-known athletes.

Chu remarked that while the celebrity endorsement is exciting, the real triumph lies in raising awareness for these athletes. LACES aims to create real-world experiences that translate to job market skills, beyond just sports. Hats are currently available on the LACES website, although the popular design is on backorder until early July.