The NBA is watched world-wide, and since its global rise, many businesses have been looking for potential stars who can give a boost to their brands. NBA legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant made the shoe companies reach new heights and even today, the sneaker sales are on the rise. Even in today’s era NBA rookies are signing big deals even before playing their first official game in the league. In this article, we will tell you about the 6 biggest shoe deals in NBA history made by rookies.
Allen Iverson
1996: Reebok, 10 years – $50 million
Iverson was known as one of the NBA’s strongest scorers and competitors, and he surprised everyone in the 2001 NBA Finals by leading the Sixers to a victory over the favorites Lakers in Game 1. He earned over $200 million throughout his NBA career, including millions of dollars from various endorsements in addition to game apparel. However, despite this, in 2012 he was reported to have spent his money unwisely, even owing nearly a million dollars to a jewelry store and having to be barred from casinos in Detroit and Atlantic City.
However, Iverson’s deal with Reebok extended far beyond the 10-years guarantee he initially signed as a rookie. In 2001, Reebok entered into a unique agreement with AI, setting aside $32 million in a trust fund that he could only touch when he turned 55 years old. Until then, Iverson will have to be paid $800,00 annually for his lifetime by Reebok.
Ben Simmons
2016: Nike, 5 years – $20 million + $20 million bonus
Ben Simmons was the first pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He signed a 5-year, $20 million contract that included $20 million in incentives too, most of which were attainable by Simmons, such as winning All-Rookie team honors and winning Rookie of the Year. Other stipulations were far more difficult, such as being selected All-NBA and winning MVP. But the deal was so attractive that it raised the incentives to more than $20 million.
This should come as no surprise because the Australian star is a talented player who won Rookie of the Year, was selected as an All-Star, and led his team to the Eastern Conference title when he was just 23 years old. Even before playing his first NBA game, Simmons attracted many other endorsements, including those from Foot Locker, Upper Deck, Beats by Dre, and Nike.
Grant Hill
1994: Fila, 5 years – $30 million
Hill had a successful college career at Duke, which included winning back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992. He entered the NBA draft in 1994 and was selected third overall by the Detroit Pistons. Grant surprised everyone when he chose a then-unknown brand in the basketball world :Fila. He took the industry by storm immediately, as they sold 1.5 million pairs in the 1994–95 season alone. The following year, Fila announced that it had doubled its $8 million market share in the footwear market and credited Hill for making the brand known in the basketball and pop culture world. Fila renegotiated the deal in 1997, extending it to a 7 year, $80 million deal. At the time, it was the second most lucrative shoe deal in the NBA, behind Jordan’s Nike deal.
Kevin Durant
2007: Nike, 7 years – $60 million + 10 million signing bonus
Durant was declared for the 2007 NBA Draft and was selected second overall after an impressive freshman year as a Texas Longhorn. Before signing a deal with Nike, Durant received other lucrative offers, including a $70 million deal from Adidas and a $12 million signing bonus as well. However, he eventually signed a deal with Nike, a brand he had been wearing for a very long time.
When Durant’s contract with the Swoosh expired in 2014, he received a big offer from Under Armour, hoping to poach him from Nike. But Nike complied with the offer and the 10-time All-Star ultimately decided to remain with the brand. He signed a 10-year deal until 2024, with the potential to reach $300 million, as well as a $50 million retirement package.
Zion Williamson
2019: Jordan Brand, 5 years – $75 million
There are several reports about Williamson’s sneaker deal, some claim it is a four-year deal, while others say it is a seven-year deal. But the 23-year-old is still signed to one of the most profitable rookie shoe deals in NBA history. First, Zion signed a sneaker deal after the NBA lottery, letting brands know he would be going to a small-market team in New Orleans. Although he had other offers from different brands that were much higher than the ones he inked. Zion said that signing with the Jordan brand was a no-brainer, as there is nothing better than wearing something that you and your idol’s brand will collaborate on and push forward.
LeBron James
2003: Nike,7 years – $87 million + 10 million signing bonus
The Lakers star James still holds the record for the biggest rookie shoe deal in NBA history, pocketing nearly $100 million even before he was drafted by the NBA. James has been MVP four times, went to nine finals, and won three rings and three Finals MVPs. He received many more rewards that only a generational talent like him could receive. He is still one of the best players in the league. According to a report, Nike gave him a billion-dollar lifetime endorsement deal.
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