How a Vintage T-Shirt Led to the PONY x Max Effort Collab

How a $50 Shirt Turned Into a Legendary Collab 📈

Coming to you live from the work boat...

Let me take you back to when I was 19 years old working underground in the coal mines. I was making $21/hour, working overtime, and honestly, I thought I was rolling in it. Then, one day, a guy walks into the break room wearing a vintage Beastie Boys concert T-shirt. The shirt was pure gold—so clean, so unique. I knew right then and there I needed that shirt. I walked right up to him and offered him $50. At the time, that felt like a fortune.

I bought the shirt off his back. And I’ve held onto it ever since. It’s been through everything with me—work, training, and some of my most memorable moments. Fast forward 26 years later, and here we are, doing a collab with PONY using the old ABA logo, with Max Effort Muscle. That's where the inspiration comes from.

Now, we’ve got some dope gear—the hoodie and the black t-shirt are fire, but the basketball tee? That’s rooted in my love for legends like Dr. J, David Thompson, George Irving, and the iconic red, white, and blue vibes from the old-school basketball days.

Everything I do is intentional. This is no accident. This collab means something. And I couldn’t be more excited to bring it to you.

- CoryG