The New Balance sales in the Bay Area are about to plummet dramatically.
Confused? Let me explain.
As you know, the two-time defending NBA champion Warriors are facing the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA Finals. The Dubs' quest to three-peat hit a snag Thursday when the Raptors grabbed a 118-109 win in Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena.
So, where does New Balance come in? Well, Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is the face of their basketball brand.
The shoe company has done a great job of leveraging Leonard's impressive postseason run into better exposure for their shoes. New Balance released Leonard's signature OMN1S "2-Way" just days after he hit the series-clinching shot in Game 7 against the Philadelphia76ers.
With Leonard and the Raptors heading to Oakland for Games 3, 4 and 6 (if necessary), New Balance wanted to be front and center in The Town, so the company purchased space on a billboard which features Leonard. It's sure to ruffle some feathers in Oakland.
Sports
New Balance not making friends along Oakland highways this morning. (Pic from @OTJSports) pic.twitter.com/H4j7y2f6mg— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) May 31, 2019
We're fun too! https://t.co/H2viX8oZWY— New Balance Canada (@NewBalanceCan) May 31, 2019
Well done.
[RELATED: Warriors reportedly worried chances to win Finals without KD]
The Warriors will need to rebound in Sunday's Game 2 or else they will head back to Oracle Arena facing a billboard of Leonard and 2-0 hole against the 2014 NBA Finals MVP.
