A special pair of Steph Curry game-worn shoes, worn in remembrance of the late TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager, is being auctioned to raise money for cancer research.
During Game 4 of the 2022 Western Conference Semifinal series between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies, Curry debuted the unique pair of his Curry 9 Flow shoes—designed with Sager’s trademark loud sport coats in mind. Curry autographed the toes of both shoes after the game and they’re now up for sale through NBA Auctions. All net proceeds benefit the SagerStrong Foundation.
Curry played 37 minutes and registered a game-high 32 points with a team-high 8 assists that night, while becoming the first player in NBA history to make 500 postseason 3-pointers when he connected 46.2 seconds before halftime.
Heading into the league’s 75th anniversary season, Curry was looking to honor Sager’s longtime impact on the NBA, his best-in-class sideline interviews and his signature bold and colorful style.
“I was one of Craig’s biggest admirers and loved everything that he represented as both a broadcaster and a family man,” Curry said after the game. “He was the consummate professional, respected by everyone and had a zest for life and the acentric, including his colorful outfits. I thought this gesture would be a great way to honor his incredible legacy and, ultimately, bring more attention to the SagerStrong Foundation and cancer research.”
Over a year ago, Curry and his Curry Brand team of designers looked to draw inspiration from the last of one of his many interactions with Sager.
Just after the Warriors’ 67th win of the regular season on March 29, 2016, Curry and Sager shared a heartfelt moment during a customary postgame interview on the Oracle Arena floor.
After initially being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in 2014 and battling through three stem cell transplant procedures, Sager’s illness had returned in early 2016.
Sager continued to fight, while working the sidelines for TNT and conducting interviews. With the Warriors in pursuit of breaking the Chicago Bulls’ league-best 72-10 regular season record, Sager asked Curry if he planned to rest in any upcoming games ahead of the playoffs beginning.
“Seeing you and doing what you’re doing,” Curry said to Sager. “We’ve got no excuses. You’re an inspiration for us to just keep doing what we’re doing, keep fighting, and that’s the mentality we have. And it’s kind of contagious.”
The Warriors went on to set a new league record in the weeks to follow, finishing the 2015-16 regular season at 73-9.
When looking to create a Sager-tribute edition of his new Curry 9 Flow shoes, the patterned orange tie and suit that Craig was wearing that evening served as inspiration.
A series of multi-colored floral graphics and polka dots inspired by Sager’s tie can be seen on the Curry 9 Flow shoe, with the graphic also making its way into a collar lining print on each shoe. On the insole, a custom “CS” seal can be found on the heel.
Launched after Sager’s passing in 2016, the SagerStrong Foundation has funded clinical trials and cancer research for leukemia and other blood cancers, while also providing scholarship grants to students and hosting a series of annual sports-oriented fundraising events for families and kids.
The auction is open through May 26.
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