An Unreleased The Whitaker Group x New Balance 998 Made in USA Willful Bias Appears Online

James Whitner’s The Whitaker Group encompasses various retailers, including A Ma Maniere, Social Status, and more, that all have a loyal following thanks to their community-focused initiatives and events. Thankfully, the creative endeavors of The Whitaker Group are not limited to just a single brand, as we’ve seen multiple projects from Nike, adidas, New Balance, Asics, and more from the TWG umbrella. While we saw TWG work with New Balance on two separate occasions, once on a pack of 9060s and a second collection focused on the 1906U, images of a New Balance Made in USA 998 have appeared online.

In the Reddit post by user Specialist_Bags, they claim to have found the pair for just $75 at their local outlet, a hefty discount for a Made in USA model, especially one made in collaboration with an outside partner. Premium pigskin suede in a baby blue hue covers the mudguard, midfoot, tongue, and heel overlay, contrasting the steel grey mesh on the toe, bottom half of the tongue, and collar. Black accents enhance the contrast, appearing on the vamp, N logo, and NB logo on the heel.

Finishing the upper is the pop of cream via the TPU panel on the collar, the 998 Made in USA branding on the tongue tag, and the white lace set. Moving inside the sneaker, we see a woven tongue label with “Willful Bias For Education” written in black, the same tag found on TWG’s 1906U project. Also, like the 1906U, this 998 comes with a split insole design featuring Lady Justice, the blinded personification of moral force, who, in this instance, peaks through her blindfold.

Unfortunately for us, The Whitaker Group x New Balance 998 Made in USA Willful Bias is likely a canceled release, considering pairs are finding their way to outlets. However, this doesn’t rule out a future release for the pair or different colorways from TWG and New Balance on the 998. Check below for images of the sneaker, and download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.

The Whitaker Group x New Balance 998 Made in USA Willful Bias

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com