Pony International announced the creation of its “Pony Hall of Fame,” comprised of athletes who excited, excelled and exceeded over the years wearing the Pony brand. NBA legends Darryl Dawkins, Bob McAdoo and Spud Webb are returning to the footwear tradition of their professional playing days to endorse Pony products and will be promoting the brand at various appearances through 2005. Pony will also use the trio in promotional campaigns, images, speaking engagements and advertising.
“The Pony Hall of Fame celebrates Pony's long tradition in sports and merges that heritage with Pony's current line of fashionable performance footwear,” said Killick Datta, Chief Executive Officer of Global Brand Marketing, Inc., the owner of Pony International LLC. “Chocolate Thunder, McAdoo and Spud are legendary names in their own right and each member of the Pony Hall of Fame is remembered for their excellence, and their attitude, on and off the court.”
The original showman, Darryl Dawkins had more than one nickname to go with his sizeable 250+ lb. playing frame: Chocolate Thunder, Double D, Sir Slam. He is best remembered for his physical prowess on court, including a glass- shattering moment on November 13, 1979, when Dawkins ripped the rim right off the backboard during a powerful dunk against the Kansas City Kings. “I remember Pony for its styling, its anti-establishment attitude and the stability they provided when I was flying through the air,” says Dawkins. “It was a great shoe on the court and off, and Pony remains one of the great names in footwear.”
McAdoo won the league scoring title three consecutive years in the early 1970s. “I wore Pony's during my high-scoring days in the NBA. It was a new brand with a new stylish chevron logo. It was the shoe all the kids wanted to have,” says McAdoo. “I'm looking forward to wearing Pony's again and helping build the brand back up.” Next season will mark the 30th anniversary of McAdoo's NBA Most Valuable Player Award that he won in 1975 when he dominated the competition with his Pony “McAdoo” signature shoe.
Spud Webb will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his memorable victory at the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk competition 18 months from now. “Playing in Pony's was a big part of my playing career,” says Webb. “I remember lacing up the City Wings before big games and just being ready to go out there and play ball.” Webb wore Pony's classic “City Wings Low” during his years in professional basketball.
