NIke has arranged a 2012 Battle of the Boroughs for basketball bragging rights for all of NYC.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This is going to be one crazy ass competition.

Nike jacks up its prices on just about everything.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: I was reminiscing about the days shoes only cost $200. Yikes!

Has basketball fans and sneaker heads it's easy for us to get caught up in the freshness of new kicks and ignore pricetags. Well, the Wall Street Journal never ignores money and  this week they put out an article analysing the cost of kicks, especially a recent spike in Nike's prices. The first image below is probably the most telling. It's a cost and inflation adjusted chart of the price of sneakers. This means the WSJ factored in everything else that would affect the cost of these kicks and with all other things considered, Nike is simply charging much more for sneakers these days than in the past.

This is obviously seen in the new LeBron X kick that will retail for around $315, but is also impacting more affordable shoes like Chuck Taylors that went now go for $50 a pop (up from $45 last year). Analysists believe Nike is raising its' prices 5-10% across the board on most of its sneakers hoping the brand's popularity will overcome this price increase. 

Nike is "not arbitrarily taking up prices," said spokeswoman Mary Remuzzi. "We are constantly looking at ways to enhance the product line with new innovation and product attributes." 

Other brands are following suit too. adidas' signature basketball shoes are up 8% and their soccer cliets are up 15%. So much for prices coming down since we're in a recession. So much for companies feeling the pain the average American household and adjusting their absurdly expensive shoes.

This is capitalism 101. If they can bleed the money out of the basketball fans they'll do it. Don't expect these pricees to come down any time soon. People are still lining up around the corner for the top brands. Oh, and Nike stocks have soared to a near all-time highs this year peaking at $114.81 and curretnly hovering at a towering  $95.77. At least the recesion is good for someone. LIke Nike says, "Just Do It," although now I think that more closely means "Just Make a Profit."

For more info, updates, gossip and sneaker coupons follow @HoopsVibe (fyi we don't have sneaker coupons)

Full Wall Street Journal article here.

Photo Credit: WSJ and Nike

Nike Releases the LeBron James Floridians.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Hot colors and a popular LBJ look proves a winning formula.

Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant hit Venice Beach this weekend to promote the release of his newest shoe, the Kobe VIII.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  While I prefer to wear high tops on the basketball court, I'd definitely rock the Kobe 8's.

Kobe wants to remind you that you can "Count On Kobe", like the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: He also wants you to know he can beat your favorite player one on one.

Top 5 Ways Michael Jordan earns more today than when he played in the NBA.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: With ballers going broke left, right, and center, MJ shows us all how branding is king for long term success.

Some ballers go broke soon after retirement, but Michael Jordan actually earns more today than while he was in the NBA. Jordan brought in an estimated $80 million last year and has a net worth close to $650 million. Some are already speculating that he could be the first former NBA player to become a billionare. Here's the breakdown of the Top 5 revenue channels for MJ.

1. The Jordan Brand. This is the golden egg. It is a division of Nike that remains hugely profitable and massively influential. In 1984 MJ originally signed a 5-year $500,000 contract with Nike, plus royalties. Last year this was worth an estimated $60 million. Yikes, that's some serious return. The Jordan brand deserves it though dominating 71 percent of the basketball shoe market in 2012.

2. Earnings from play for Bulls: This is a relatively small part of the MJ empire. If you total up all the money Jordan made for actually playing basketball it totals $93.7 million of his roughly $650 million in net worth.

3. Charlotte Bobcats: This investment has actually lost MJ money, but he double downed on it last year and upped his ownership to 80 percent of the Bobcats. Now that he is the majority owner, if MJ can turn this team around this could be a hugely profitable portion of his portfolio. It Charlotte do become a relatively successful team it would likely make Jordan a billionaire. 

4. Hanes, Gatorade, Upper Deck Endorsements: These round up to just under $20 million. MJ remains the most identifiable athlete in the world and uses that status to his advantage as Mr. Endorsement. His long-standing relationships with these companies continue to garner top dollar in the market. 

5. Restaurants: You're hardly a celebrity unless you own at least a couple restaurants. Michael Jordan Steakhouses are in New York, Connecticut, and Chicago. These are a relatively small drop in the MJ portfolio, but just go to show the diversification in the many channels of his income.

For more info, updates, and dirty filthy NBA gossip follow @HoopsVibe.

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Just in time for the playoffs, Jordan Brand is making a fashion statement for some of the best players in the game.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Pay attention "Sneakerheads" or you might miss something!

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: First, it was ‘White Mamba’. Then came ‘Bow Wow’, now known as ‘little fella’ and/or ‘midget’. Yesterday was The Thrilla N’ Manila.

Today, Kobe Bryant arrived in South Korea, where he did the 'Nike-thing' and found another sacrificial lamb to manhandle in one-on-one.

Watch the video footage and get at us with thoughts on the latest stop in the Bryant World Tour.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"When I first cut my hair and all that and didn't get any tattoos, that was the main thing, having a clean image coming into this," said Wall. "That's what they want, to help you to be more marketable. And if you don't stay in the league a long time, it helps you get jobs after this."