fair trade basketball 

Sports are full of inspiring individual stories, but tend to be slower on collective movements. Social justice and environmental awareness seem a little outside the realm, but that’s changing as the public perception of success and toughness expands to include respect for others—and for one’s own impact. Witness the deference given to the Phoenix Suns’ Steve Nash, who’s dedicated to supporting healthier kids and sustainable living through his foundation versus the skepticism toward the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, who may be a stellar athlete, but hardly a winning role model.

The company Fair Trade Sports is witnessing the revolution-in-the-making as they’re selling out of their eco-certified, fair trade, union-made, vegan basketballs bearing the simple message: Respect. They direct would-be buyers to Gaiam for immediate orders or to sign a backorder list on their site. They have footballs with the message, and soccer balls, and ultimate disc frisbees, rugby balls, and more. In fact, the Seattle company was the first to launch fair trade sports balls in 2006, and to later add eco-certification, using 100% FSC-certified rubber. Design-wise, the balls are cool—not in-your-face-green, but stylish enough to stand out on the playing field. Getting the Nash kind of positive attention.