APL Concept 1 shoes too good for the NBA
NBA has banned from its courts the use of Athletic Propulsion Labs' Concept 1 shoes by its professional players in the coming 2010-2011 NBA season.
According to the APL press release, in the league's ruling against wearing of the APL shoes during NBA games, it has invoked its rule that prohibits players from wearing shoes during a game that "creates competitive advantage."
The APL Concept 1 shoes which employ spring technology to make the player jump higher "instantly" is being sold at US300 primarily through the company website.
APL co-founder Adam Goldston said that "We were not exactly shocked to hear the NBA chose to ban our shoes.....The Load 'N Launch Technology not only provides an instant and dramatic increase in vertical leap, but the biomechanical testing showed that the players exerted far less energy as a result."
APL, founded in 2009 by twin brothers Adam and Ryan Goldston who were former USC basketball and football players, claims that NBA's action to ban its Concept 1 shoes serves to confirm APL's claim that "the shoe, with its Load 'N LaunchTM Technology, performs as advertised."
From APL testing, the shoes are able to increase vertical leap by up to 3.5 inches. Although independent individual testing conducted by CNBC and Sports Illustrated did reveal increased leap, the maximum potential increase of 3.5 inches was not reached.