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Sole Influence: Basketball, Corporate Greed, and the Corruption of America's Youth
This controversial expos reveals the exploitation of junior high, high school, and college basketball players by billion-dollar sneaker companies competing for national endorsements.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 9, 2011
This book highlights the relationship between young basketball talent, AAU coaches, shoe companies and college recruiters during the late 90s and early 00s. Several problematic aspects are discussed, like hiring ex-cons to coach AAU teams because their street connections land big time players. Only a few chapters are enjoyable to read, like the ones about Sonny Vaccaro. If you are mainly interested in basketball culture of the time it is a little disappointing as it isn't very even handed. The tone is highly pessimistic.
It is interesting however that very few of the big time high school players from the '97-'01 era have been as successful after high school. Perhaps the system really was destroying rather than nurturing their talent. The guys who did have nice stretches in the League (Odom, McGrady, Brand, Boozer, Z. Randolph, Artest, D. Miles, L. Hughes) all have also had some sort of negative stigma about them.
This book is somewhat of an update on the book Raw Recruits (1990), showing how the state of the situation has not gotten better and is probably worse in the 10 years since it was written. I found Raw Recruits, though not without its flaws, to be a more insightful read.
It is interesting however that very few of the big time high school players from the '97-'01 era have been as successful after high school. Perhaps the system really was destroying rather than nurturing their talent. The guys who did have nice stretches in the League (Odom, McGrady, Brand, Boozer, Z. Randolph, Artest, D. Miles, L. Hughes) all have also had some sort of negative stigma about them.
This book is somewhat of an update on the book Raw Recruits (1990), showing how the state of the situation has not gotten better and is probably worse in the 10 years since it was written. I found Raw Recruits, though not without its flaws, to be a more insightful read.
March 21, 2022
Thorough expose of the world of youth amateur basketball and the structural corruption that plagues it. Little light on the recommendations for changes in this world, knowing admittedly that this is a complex and engrained structure that exists.
February 7, 2009
As I never read about anything but architecture-related crap, and I sort of despise basketball with all my heart, it was obvious that I would finally get around to reading Sole Influence, the story of shoe-empire corruption of our most accessible game if you’re abnormally tall. It’s a bewildering exposé. I figured the Universities were bought and sold as every football player has so many swooshes caked on, one immediately thinks of Tammy Faye Baker’s makeup. What’s disturbing is the fairly recent trend of purchasing High Schools and AAU teams, and even corporate “sponsorships” at the Jr High level.
Like any realm in US society, amateur basketball hosts plenty of characters with which to extract closet bones. My favorite was the AAU coach, Myron Piggie, who was heavily sponsored by Nike (who’s spokesman also proudly boasted that they stood behind Tanya Harding…hopefully Phelps has them as a forgiving source of income). You see, a few years before his basketball days, this little Piggie sold crack. He sold small quantities a few times to an undercover DEA agent and they finally got him on the big one (2 ounces + automatically means 10 years minimum). However, Piggie managed to slip away (car spinning out on an agent’s foot) and they weren’t able to get him until a couple days later. Thus 10 years hard time became 4 months in a treatment center. Also acquiring five years parole, he eventually violated said parole by shooting a bunch of bullets at two police officers. They immediately apprehended him and our crack judicial system [pardon the pun:] allowed five felony counts to be reduced to one, putting this almost cop-killer behind bars for ONE WHOLE YEAR. According to this Piggie, it went down like “the Lord wanted it to go.” A few years later he’s coaching teenagers and is on Nike’s payroll. The Lord obviously needs better planning – I mean if, anything, this Little Piggie should have become a State Senator!
Anyway, this book is well written and seems to be reasonably researched. There is the feeling that the authors are selectively exposing material that shores up their thesis, but the selection of interviewees does cover a wide range and this promotes a somewhat balanced presentation. I would certainly recommend this to anyone over 86 inches tall, but for my own sanity, I’m avoiding basketball books from here on out.
Like any realm in US society, amateur basketball hosts plenty of characters with which to extract closet bones. My favorite was the AAU coach, Myron Piggie, who was heavily sponsored by Nike (who’s spokesman also proudly boasted that they stood behind Tanya Harding…hopefully Phelps has them as a forgiving source of income). You see, a few years before his basketball days, this little Piggie sold crack. He sold small quantities a few times to an undercover DEA agent and they finally got him on the big one (2 ounces + automatically means 10 years minimum). However, Piggie managed to slip away (car spinning out on an agent’s foot) and they weren’t able to get him until a couple days later. Thus 10 years hard time became 4 months in a treatment center. Also acquiring five years parole, he eventually violated said parole by shooting a bunch of bullets at two police officers. They immediately apprehended him and our crack judicial system [pardon the pun:] allowed five felony counts to be reduced to one, putting this almost cop-killer behind bars for ONE WHOLE YEAR. According to this Piggie, it went down like “the Lord wanted it to go.” A few years later he’s coaching teenagers and is on Nike’s payroll. The Lord obviously needs better planning – I mean if, anything, this Little Piggie should have become a State Senator!
Anyway, this book is well written and seems to be reasonably researched. There is the feeling that the authors are selectively exposing material that shores up their thesis, but the selection of interviewees does cover a wide range and this promotes a somewhat balanced presentation. I would certainly recommend this to anyone over 86 inches tall, but for my own sanity, I’m avoiding basketball books from here on out.
March 19, 2008
If one can get past the actual topic, the reader will find this book to be quite intriguing. This book is more about the disturbingly obsessive pursuit to find the next Michael Jordan for Nike or Adidas to strike it rich with.
This book delves into capitalism at the expense of patriotism, bribery, perjury, race relations, and how all these topics filter down to the possible most important issue that these 10 to 18-year-olds must face: entitlement.
The authors also discuss how these young athlete-students (NOT student-athletes) can sometimes are forced to base their college choices solely on the colleges' shoe affiliations as well as cases where kidnapping has been used as a tactic to influence these decisions.
Of course, the authors discuss how college basketball coaches are paid handsomely to force their players to be walking billboards on the courts. When one watches college basketball, Nike and Adidas are just as invested in the results as the most rabid and passionate boosters, alumni, and fans are.
The book does wind down a little toward the end where possible legislation is brought up but it also does a great job highlighting players who avoid the temptations of nonstop free shoes, gear, and other perks given by Nike or Adidas.
If the topic itself doesn't interest the reader, it's understandable as to why it would be hard to embrace the content. But if the reader realizes that this is more of a business and socioeconomic book involving TONS of scandals and shady activities, then the impact and relevance of this book should be felt by the reader.
This book delves into capitalism at the expense of patriotism, bribery, perjury, race relations, and how all these topics filter down to the possible most important issue that these 10 to 18-year-olds must face: entitlement.
The authors also discuss how these young athlete-students (NOT student-athletes) can sometimes are forced to base their college choices solely on the colleges' shoe affiliations as well as cases where kidnapping has been used as a tactic to influence these decisions.
Of course, the authors discuss how college basketball coaches are paid handsomely to force their players to be walking billboards on the courts. When one watches college basketball, Nike and Adidas are just as invested in the results as the most rabid and passionate boosters, alumni, and fans are.
The book does wind down a little toward the end where possible legislation is brought up but it also does a great job highlighting players who avoid the temptations of nonstop free shoes, gear, and other perks given by Nike or Adidas.
If the topic itself doesn't interest the reader, it's understandable as to why it would be hard to embrace the content. But if the reader realizes that this is more of a business and socioeconomic book involving TONS of scandals and shady activities, then the impact and relevance of this book should be felt by the reader.
December 9, 2011
Two stars is too generous, but sadly 1.5 is not an option. It's hard to decide what was most frustrating about the writing in the book - the repetitive ideas and phrases, the atrocious grammar and style, or the long drawn out soapbox rants. The chapters don't really relate to one another, and the individual chapters themselves are not necessarily cohesive pieces. Rather, it feels like you're reading a journalist's notebook - a bunch of interesting ideas hastily scribbled down and briefly fleshed out. Some parts were interesting enough to ignore the writing, some weren't.
February 28, 2014
If you enjoy basketball, recruiting, and the history of major shoe companies this would be a good book for you. It seemed to drone on a little bit in some parts, but this was still a mostly entertaining book. Other then droning on the only criticism I could have is that you constantly need to remember numerous specific details and characters, because at least one new character was introduced every chapter. I give this book a 4.2 out of 5.
July 29, 2010
an honest eye opener to the game behind the game. Detailed history on how marketing took over sports and how marketing relates to the game, the players and the fans. the author brings a non assertive approach to explaining the corporate greed and the extent of their hunt.
a define read for the well rounded sports fan.
a define read for the well rounded sports fan.
January 10, 2011
Excellent topic. The writing style was a litte scattered and inconsistent, but it was a fascinating expose on the influence and manipulation of corporate America, specifically Nike and Adidas, on youth and college basketball. As I finished the book, I kept thinking it was like Fast Food Nation for the basketball world.
March 14, 2008
If you thought professional athletics was scoured by scandal, think again. Dan Wetzel's novel offers a chilling insight into the Corporate Abuse from Nike, Adidas and Reebok on the minds of basketball players from ages 10-18.
September 13, 2010
An expose on how sneaker companies are fighting for younger players to support and endorse their shoes. Surprise, surprise - these young people end up becoming annoying thugs.
July 25, 2011
If you have a strong enough stomach for the underbelly of amateur basketball, this is fascinating.
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November 19, 2020Disgusting to say the least
This book was recommended by a friend and it validates everything I thought about college sports. THEY ALL CHEAT!!!! I was surprised to read John Thompson sat on the Board at Nike and condoned the recruiting by sneakers and sports apparel. My hats off to Marcus Taylor for staying away from the AAU and other potential pitfall. The book was well done and interesting.
This book was recommended by a friend and it validates everything I thought about college sports. THEY ALL CHEAT!!!! I was surprised to read John Thompson sat on the Board at Nike and condoned the recruiting by sneakers and sports apparel. My hats off to Marcus Taylor for staying away from the AAU and other potential pitfall. The book was well done and interesting.
June 27, 2025
AAU ruined basketball and largely sport. This was the beginning of tearing down equitable access to this game. What has largely been a meritocracy for the entirety of its existence (pro-basketball) is rapidly backsliding into a pay-to-play format.
A nice background piece on the Adidas/FBI Sting scandal.
A nice background piece on the Adidas/FBI Sting scandal.
May 8, 2025
This was interesting, but the final chapter was a bit too preachy. I'm not sure I needed the author's opinion at all since the subject and the reporting they did on it speaks for itself enough for the reader to form their own thoughts.
November 16, 2024
I am a basketball junkie and despite the fact this book was written several years ago, I loved it. Even though I was familiar with some of the business items based on my work experience in sports, this book was well researched and emphasized the dark side of youth sports and the basketball shoe industry.
Phenomenal read for any sports fan.
Phenomenal read for any sports fan.
November 20, 2013
Sneaker companies slip into college game, high school game, AAU ranks for early favor.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews