Chris Brickley’s Midtown Manhattan gym is no stranger to s-tier hoops talent. What began with an early co-sign from Carmelo Anthony has blossomed into a flourishing private complex that’s seen visitations from names like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Donovan Mitchell, all of whom put in work with the most popular trainer in basketball. Brickley’s rising profile earned him an ambassadorship deal with PUMA back in 2019, and now the two parties have come out with their third collaborative sneaker.
Called the PUMA All-Pro NITRO 2 “Empire Legacy,” Brickley’s latest PE is a love letter to the NYC grind. The upper combines perforated leather with shaggy suede hits on the forefoot and tongue, while work-boot inspired laces nod to New York’s longstanding love affair with Timberlands. Brickley’s mantras – “Keep Going” and “Keep Growing” – are stitched onto the tongue, while a varsity-style “1948” patch on the heel calls back to PUMA’s founding year. Peek through the outsole and you’ll find street signs featuring names, places, and messages that are important to Brickley, including a shoutout to Knicks legend and PUMA signature athlete Clyde Frazier. Last but not least are custom insoles inspired by a deli Chris used to hit up when he was a trainer for the Knicks; definitely a very NY-worthy addition to a very NY sneaker.
“The shoe represents everything I’ve worked for, the players who trust me with their craft, the city that I have grown to be a man in, and the NYC grind that shaped me. Empire Legacy is my way of celebrating anyone out there who has used NYC to build a legacy. Something I’m actually still working on. But if you don’t dream big, you won’t see big results!” – Chris Brickley.
Chris Brickley’s PUMA All-Pro NITRO 2 “Empire Legacy” is available now via the PUMA App and retailers like DICK’S, priced at $140. Use the purchase links in our Where To Buy section below to cop yours.
