Pro-Keds
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| Stride-Rite Inc. | |
| Type | Private corporation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1949 |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, USA |
| Key people | Tom Slosberg , VP Sales Damon Dash, Representative Tom Nastos, Manufacturer/Distributor |
| Industry | Footwear |
| Products | Athletic shoes, accessories |
| Website | http://www.prokeds.com/ |
In the 1960s and 1970s, Keds introduced a line of athletic shoes called Pro-Keds, which were intended for more serious use, specifically for basketball. Over the years many basketball players and teams wore Pro-Keds shoes while playing. The first Pro Keds product was the Classic Royal.
Pro-Keds had become synonymous with some of the biggest names in basketball history and professional sports, and attained cult status as the first real sneaker with style among New York City's hip-hop community. Some of basketball's biggest names wore Pro-Keds on and off the court, including Nate Archibald,[1] Kareem Abdul Jabar and Pete Maravich. [2]
Pro-Keds re-issued the classic Royal Canvas, the Court King and the historic Royal Master basketball shoe. After a dormant period of over twenty years, the Stride-Rite corporation entered a joint venture with manufacturer and distributor Tom Nastos and hip hop entrepreneur Damon Dash [3]. In the past three years the company has been revitalized and is now producing several new styles, including the "142nd" and "Royal Court." [4]
![[1]](http://sneakers.pair.com/l/pkeds76.jpg){kind=link}