Skechers announced that hockey great Wayne Gretzky will be the next sports legend to make a “Comeback” in Shape-ups fitness footwear. Gretzky will be featured in a global Shape-ups campaign that spans television, print, viral and outdoor through 2011.

“I want everyone out there to know it's never too late to make a comeback,” said Wayne Gretzky. “Shape-ups are the perfect tool to help get your body back on track and after wearing Shape-ups, I feel great–from my legs to my core. I'm proud to stand behind the entire Shape-ups product line because of one simple fact–they really work.”

The Shape-ups “Comeback” campaign will feature Gretzky sharing the benefits of Shape-ups as a tool that's helping him prepare for a return to the ice. The spots will air nationwide on major networks beginning spring 2011.

“We're incredibly excited to be introducing yet another sports legend to our Shape-ups 'Comeback' roster–and it doesn't get any more legendary in the hockey world than Wayne Gretzky,” began Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. “Endorsements from Wayne and all the athletes in this campaign help us reach not only sports fans, but also new fitness-minded consumers who may be unfamiliar with the benefits of Shape-ups.”

Gretzky retired with forty regular-season records, fifteen playoff records, and six All-Star records. After a storied twenty-one season professional career, Gretzky was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 and his jersey number, 99, has been retired by every team in the NHL.

Shape-ups “Comeback” multi-faceted marketing campaign started a year ago when Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana made his “comeback” to the gridiron and continued in fall 2010 as basketball superstar Karl Malone made his “comeback” to the court with a little help from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.