[Update 11 Jul 2023] Official images of the Rich Paul x New Balance 550 have now arrived. Launching alongside the pair comes a collaborative collection consisting of t-shirts, collar shirts, hoodies, shorts, pants, and a quarter-zip. Take a look at the images as we anticipate the drop on 14 July via New Balance.

[Update 3 Jul 2023] Aside from new images of the Rich Paul x New Balance 550, a release date has also been scheduled for 14 July with an RRP of US$130, according to Sneaker Politics. Stay tuned for more details and images within the coming week!

[Update 30 Jun 2023] In courtesy of @uptodate, more detailed images of the Rich Paul x New Balance 550 have now surfaced, revealing a special shoe box design with a “Forever Yours” print. No release details have been confirmed yet, but take a look at the latest shot as we await an official announcement to come for the pair.

Depending on where you get your news from, you might know Rich Paul as a member of LeBron James’ close coterie known as the “Four Horsemen”; you might know him as one of the most consequential sports agents in history (fourth in Forbes’ “World’s Most Powerful Sports Agents”); or, you might know him as Adele’s lover.

Back in 2021, he began a partnership with New Balance becoming the first sports agent to ever get a sneaker deal. A “player” of the game without actually being a player. The canvas—the 550s, chosen for its pedigree. Aside from it being a reminder of the era he grew up in, it’s also a basketball shoe by design, but not actually intended for hooping. Akin to Rich Paul, someone who’s not getting the shots off, but is still an indelible part of the game.

Images have surfaced recently of a pair of 550s, in Mauve, that bears his name. The shoes sport a predominantly suede finish with tonal purples. The uniformity of the colors broken only by the midsoles in white. Its most interesting feature would be the branding elements that includes the dual-branded tongue tags; and the “RP” logo debossed on the heel—adorned with a rose.

This is pure speculation but considering the motifs, it isn’t beyond reason to suspect the sample might be a pair dedicated to his partner, music megastar Adele.

There’s no other information accompanying the images. Whether the sneakers will see a release, the inspiration behind it, etc.—only the powers that be knows. Should more details emerge, you’ll know about it here!

In the mean time, check out his friend’s Nike Zoom LeBron NXXT Gen “Blue Tint”.