November 11, 2025 – During TSMC’s 2025 annual sports day, an unexpected star stole the spotlight – not a tech mogul, but a pair of custom TSMC-branded sneakers worn by Chairman Mark Liu. The footwear, which became an instant sensation, even managed to overshadow special guest Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA.
The story behind these viral sneakers is quite intriguing. As revealed in a Tom’s Hardware report, the shoes were produced by a Kaohsiung-based footwear manufacturer. The company’s owner shared that these sneakers were originally part of a business proposal he submitted eight years ago, sending samples to then-TSMC Chairman Morris Chang. However, he heard nothing back after that initial contact.
Now witnessing his creation become an overnight sensation, the manufacturer expressed both shock and delight. He highlighted that the sneakers feature a special stitching technique ensuring the soles remain firmly attached for at least a decade.
This unexpected popularity has opened new doors for potential collaboration. Chairman Liu revealed in media interviews that TSMC is considering adding these much-talked-about sneakers to their official merchandise lineup.
Meanwhile, the original shoemaker who proposed the idea is preparing a fresh collaboration proposal to submit to TSMC for evaluation. This development suggests that consumers might soon have the chance to purchase official TSMC-branded athletic footwear.
