Suns star Kevin Durant and Nike have agreed to a lifetime deal, the company announced via 35V on Friday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Durant became the latest Nike athlete to agree to a lifetime partnership, following superstars Michael Jordan and LeBron James into the basketball department.
- Durant was first signed by the company in 2007 when he was a rookie at the Supersonics.
- The 13-time All-Star has released 15 signature shoes with Nike, and the 16th is on the way.
- The partnership will continue to include “footwear, apparel, and community and charitable collaborations focused on grassroots basketball,” according to the release.
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What does this mean for Durant?
Obviously, this is a big problem. Few athletes have won a lifetime deal with Nike, the giant of the world of shoes and apparel. Durant joins shortlist with Jordan and James – have you ever heard of them? He’s been with Nike for almost two decades now, since joining the NBA. His shoes are very popular not only with consumers but with NBA players as well. He said there is a 16th line of KDs coming too.
Durant is 34 years old and still one of the best players in the world. At some point, his career would end and that locked him in with the company for his entire time in the NBA and beyond. It also makes him just the second NBA star this year to get what could be a lifetime deal with their shoe company after Steve Curry signed a long-term extension with Under Armor last month. – Vorokunov
what are they saying
“When I first signed with Nike, I could not have dreamed how far we would go in this partnership,” Durant said in a statement. “We have done an amazing job creatively and philanthropically. We have traveled the world together and built a company that will now last forever. I am excited about the future and honored to be in rare company with this deal.”
“As one of the best basketball players in the world, Kevin Durant has been an important part of the Nike family for the past 16 years. We look forward to continuing to serve the next generation of athletes together,” said John Sleicher of Nike Global Sports Marketing.
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(Photo: Brian Westerholt/USA Today)