Basketball has always been the hot topic in athletic footwear—from retro Air Jordans to today’s groundbreaking signature shoes like the adidas AE1 and Nike YEEZY 1. On-field soccer cleats, on the other hand, have historically been overlooked, save for rare moments like Deion Sanders’ Nike Diamond Turf series and sneakers-turned-cleats like the NFL-banned adidas YEEZY 350 cleats. Despite the limitations of playing a cleated sport, Odell Beckham Jr. has led the movement to take on-field style to the next level with eye-catching, custom cleats.

From $200,000 diamond-encrusted Super Bowl warm-up shoes to a pair inspired by Virgil Abloh’s gold Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1s, the mastermind behind these wild creations for OBJ is none other than Dominic “The Surgeon” Ciambrone. The two met at a party hosted by Drake a few years ago and have continued to work together ever since. During NFL seasons, they work together every week to create a new pair of custom shoes for OBJ to wear at every game.

With the 2024-25 NFL season officially underway, we caught up with OBJ and Ciambrone to discuss the highlights of their partnership, the creative process that goes into each design, and what we can expect from the two this year when OBJ returns to play later in the season.

What was it like to develop special studded shoes together over the years?

Odell Beckham Jr.: It’s been crazy to be around someone who enjoys cleats and everything as much as I do. Being able to create special pairs with Dom has been a blessing.

Dominic Ciambrone: I like working with passionate people, especially in this case where it goes beyond sport and also into design. It’s been a great time and I love working with Odell. Of course it can be stressful at times, but in a healthy way.

How does the process of collaboratively designing a draft work?

OBJ: It’s easy. I can come up with any idea – complete or not – and say, “Hey, do your thing,” and he always executes it. He’s perfect every time, he never misses.

DC: Last season we kept sending each other mood boards before coming up with the actual design. We both have ideas and then I show Odell a sketch before making a sample and then the final design.

Do you create most of these off-season or is it an ongoing process?

DC: Every season is different, but the more we do it, the more we try to move forward. Now that he’s with Miami, we’ve already done some prep and made a few pairs. But because things are evolving so quickly in our space and culture, we move quickly. At the same time, we have ideas that evolve or end up getting scrapped. I just got a call from him today saying he wants to change a few pairs, so it’s an ongoing adjustment process.

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The surgeon

How has your partnership developed over the years?

OBJ: I would say our partnership has evolved from a “you make the shoe, I’ll pay the money” thing to a friendship, a brotherhood. We can talk to each other about even bigger ideas and just know that we’re two special minds.

DC: I consider myself a pioneer in what I could build and Odell was definitely a pioneer in custom football boots. Before him you saw one-offs but he really cared about style on the field.

What is your favorite couple that you two have made so far?

OBJ: Man, there were so many. I would say the Louis Vuittons, the iconic all-black Air Force 1s, even the Iversons. There were just so many it’s hard to answer.

DC: Designing a wedding shoe for Odell was a fun challenge. We put a dance sole on it so he could dance and slide all night at Baker Mayfield’s wedding. That was cool because it’s just different, right? After that, we ended up doing all of Nelly’s Dancing with the stars Shoes.

“All three touchdowns that won the Super Bowl for the Rams were scored in my soccer cleats.”

Are there any special stories from your partnership that you remember?

DC: One game that stands out in my mind was Super Bowl LVI. I made cleats for four Los Angeles Rams players, including Odell, who scored a touchdown, and Cooper Kupp, who scored two touchdowns. All three touchdowns that won the Rams the Super Bowl were scored in my cleats.

What was it like to see your work presented on one of the biggest stages in the world?

DC: I’ve done everything from boxing to TV shows. This felt like I had won a Super Bowl, I was a part of it. The team and I put so much into each project we do – we meet deadlines and do our best – and to actually see them win and be there in person, we felt like we were a part of it.

Basketball shoes have always attracted the most attention in the signature shoe space. How important was it for you, Odell, to put your own stamp on the scene?

OBJ: I personally have so many ideas and things I want to do – it’s very important to me. People have been asking me for years to design a custom shoe and put my stamp on the game.

What role does maintaining the performance aspect play in your design process?

DC: Whether it’s cleats, boxing boots or basketball shoes, the most important thing for me is that they are functional. That’s what I always base my creations on. I can’t completely deconstruct these silhouettes because I want the performance integrity to remain, so I complement them and create a balance between function and style.

Are there any other sports you would like to do alongside your job?

DC: I haven’t done Formula 1 yet. With a car there are so many limitations but I’m working on it. Next up is professional bull riding and I’ll be doing everything from cowboy boots to chaps – the full outfit, there’s so much involved. I’ve boxed and I love that, it’s like a fashion show in the ring while you’re fighting and I love that you can wear the full outfit, it’s not just cleats and gloves.

Is it exciting to work with a new theme/color palette now that Odell is with the Dolphins?

DC: That’s true – the Dolphins were actually one of my favorite teams growing up. I didn’t really follow the sport, but I like the Dolphins in general and their team colors are great.

What can we expect from your footwear range for the 2024-25 season?

DC: Of course we have new colors, but other than that it’s just about novelty – trying new things, exploring crazy things and working on an original cleat for him.

OBJ: I think you can expect more of the same, if not better, this season. I’m just trying to find things that fit the Dolphins uniforms while also finding ways to stay fresh and have fun.