Shoe contracts in the NBA have the same amount of craze as those like meeting with the favorite basketball player. Although that contract or deal is between the player and the team fans are so excited to see the design and brand of the player
Fans are often curious about what name is given by the player and how attractive it is But wait Design and name of that shoe are also that important to the fans.
Several of the NBA’s best stars have their own branded shoes brand. They are making deals with the country’s biggest retailers or any multinational corporations, but the name behind those shoes is the key to the brand’s success.
NBA Players with Signature Shoes
Giannis Antetokounmpo Nike shoes deal
Milwaukee Bucks leading star player Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shoe journey is quite fascinating. In the beginning, he was a huge fan of Adidas shoes and wore their shoes. But when Adidas comes to him they don’t have an offer for his brother Thanasis.
Giannis declined and eventually signed with Nike. In 2013, they signed him to his first sneaker deal.
The deal was originally valued at about $20,000 yearly, but in 2017 it was increased to over $10 million annually. In June 2019, the Nike Zoom Freak line was introduced, and its popularity has solidified their wealthy 11-year partnership.
Kevin Durant Nike Shoes Deal
Kevin Durant, the 13-time NBA All-Star, is one of the greatest names in the NBA. He has an impressive history with Nike.
He has a deal with Nike of around $300 million. This deal stands in him in the elite club alongside Michael Jordan, and Lebron James in terms of lifetime deals with the NIKE.
With the contract, they are thinking of launching a new KD series, which is already one of the most successful in history. The KD 16 is expected to be released soon.
The first deal between Nike and Kevin Durant took place in year 2007 when he was drafted by Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder).
That was a standard rookie endorsement contract, likely for several years.
Zion Williamson deal with Jordan Brand
NBA rookie and former Duke Blue Devils star Zion Williamson has the next hefty deal with the Jordan Brand. The launching of the contract was quite interesting on Instagram with a short animated video captioned, “Let’s Dance #Jumpman.”
Apart from Zion Williamson, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, and Jayson Tatum also have a star deal with the Jordan Brand.
Zion Williamson is currently playing for the New Orleans Pelicans as a Power Forward.
Jordan 1 Retro Low OG Zion Williamson Voodoo is the signature shoe released under the name of Zion Williamson.
Zion’s hefty deal was signed worth $75 million and for a 7-year contract.
LeBron James Nike shoe deals
Lebron James aka King James is often known for his energetic dunk on the court. But his charm also works outside of the court. He has been on great deals with Nike since 2003 when he was a rookie.
LeBron James signed a $90 million contract with Nike in 2003 and that is considered as the huge opening for his career in basketball in terms of money. For 7-year that contract was the most expensive rookie deal ever signed by an NBA player.
Nike keeps Lebron away from the fierce competition with Reebok and Adidas.
In 2015, LeBron and Nike made history by agreeing to a lifetime contract. This groundbreaking deal is the first of its kind for Nike. That contract is worth $30 million annually and that might reach a billion in Lebron’s 50s.
Honor the King with Nike LeBrons is LeBron James’ signature shoes that were launched in 2003
These are the LeBron James’ 10 Best Sneakers of the NBA Season
- Nike LeBron 21 “LeRasberry Lemonade”
- Nike LeBron 21 “Algae”
- Nike LeBron 21 “Ohio State Home”
- Nike LeBron 21 “USC Road”
- Nike LeBron 21 “Purple Rain”
- Nike LeBron 21 “Optimism”
- Nike LeBron NXXT Gen AMPD ‘USC Home’
- Nike LeBron 21 “Prime Year”
As of now, LeBron James has eleven signature sneakers, each designed to match his evolving playing style and needs.
Michael Jordan Nike Deal
Michael Jordan’s Nike Story is quite impressive and full of excitement.
The story begins in 1984, when Sonny Vaccaro, a sports marketing executive at Nike went to sign the 21-year-old NBA rookie to a shoe deal. Vaccaro believed in Jordan’s potential and pushed for putting all their resources behind him, a decision that would forever change sports marketing and athlete equity in endorsement deals.
Jordan signed a five-year endorsement deal with Nike worth $2.5 million, hefty at that time. In 1985, the first Air Jordan shoe hit the market. Michael Jordan’s Nike earnings made him a billionaire. Largely due to his equity stake in the Air Jordan line.
His deal with Nike shaped the sneaker industry and inspired generations of athletes and creatives.
The Jordan brand continues to bring in huge royalties for Michael Jordan. His Nike payment for 2023 will be close to $500 million. His five percent royalty will increase in line with Nike’s aggressive growth goals for the company.
Michael Jordan’s journey from rookie to billionaire was shaped by his partnership with Nike and the enduring legacy of Air Jordans.
How many active NBA players have signature shoes
Currently, 30 NBA players have their own signature sneakers with various footwear brands.
- LeBron James with the Nike LeBron line.
- Kevin Durant with the Nike KD series.
- Paul George rocking the Nike PG kicks.
- James Harden representing Adidas with his signature shoes.
- Derrick Rose has his own line with Adidas as well.
- Stephen Curry shines in the Under Armour Curry collection.
- Damian Lillard brings his style to the Adidas Dame line.
- And Many more
These are the top 5 Biggest athlete sneaker deals in history indicating the enormous power and marketing in the sports in which shoe athletes can make money in multiple sports. These show that athletes can make individual brands’ fame and attractiveness on a worldwide scale in addition to boosting their income.
How much does Michael Jordan make from Nike?
According to sportingnews.com till 2020 he has earned a hefty amount of $1.3 billion from the Nike deal. In 2022 alone, Nike paid Jordan $256 million, more than doubling his entire NBA career earnings in just one year of sneaker sales. Even he has a 5% royalty on all Jordan brand revenue and from this, he made $330 million in the 2023 year.
How to get Lebron James signed shoe
Online Auctions and marketplaces are the best way to get LeBron James signed shoes. There are also online shopping sites like eBay, so you can find them there from reputed shoe sellers.
Which NBA player has the best shoes?
Depending on their favorite player fans consider the best shoes but as of now LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry’s shoes are considered to be best.
What shoes does Bronny James play in?
Bronny James might wear Nike Air Zoom Generation (Court Purple) and Nike LeBron NXXT Gen USC PEs in his upcoming match.
[…] the league’s competitiveness and the premium accorded to outstanding performers. There are also Shoe contracts of famous NBA players but today we will see only NBA team and player […]