Helena Frye
Ben Simmons, the NBA player known for his exceptional passing ability, has had a somewhat tumultuous career. After being drafted first overall in 2016, Simmons entered negotiations with both Nike and Adidas, ultimately signing a 5-year, $20 million contract with Nike. He last played against the Sacramento Kings wearing the Nike Air Zoom G.T.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shoe Brand | Nike |
| Shoe Model | Air Zoom G.T., GT Hustle 2 |
| Contract Length | 5 years |
| Contract Value | $20 million |
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What You'll Learn
Ben Simmons' $20 million Nike deal
In 2016, Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, signed a 5-year, $20 million contract with Nike, with bonuses that could exceed a total value of $40 million. The deal was unique for its large base salary and additional bonuses, which included incentives for awards such as first-team All-NBA and MVP.
Simmons was a highly sought-after prospect by both Nike and Adidas, with the latter making a competitive offer and appealing to Simmons' personality with personalised videos featuring DJ Khaled and Pusha T. However, Nike's ability to market Simmons and the potential for a higher bonus structure ultimately played a role in the final decision.
Nike's deal with Simmons was significant as the company typically does not offer such high base salaries or bonus packages. The contract also exceeded recent benchmarks for top draft picks and other No. 1 picks in shoe and apparel contracts. Simmons' potential to become a star was a crucial factor in the negotiations, especially after Nike lost Steph Curry to Under Armour in 2013.
In 2022, Simmons signed a three-year contract extension with Nike, choosing to stick with the brand after advanced negotiations with New Balance. As of his last game on April 11, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings, Simmons was wearing the Nike Air Zoom G.T.
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Nike Air Zoom G.T
Ben Simmons, who played his last game against the Sacramento Kings on April 11, 2025, wore the Nike Air Zoom G.T. on the court. The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2, retailing at $170, is the latest model in the Air Zoom G.T. series, which stands for "Greater Than," reflecting Nike's philosophy of surpassing boundaries and maximising athlete potential.
The shoe's design is centred around a novel traction pattern, developed by the Nike Sport Research Lab, that provides athletes with optimal friction on the court. This feature allows wearers to execute faster cuts, quicker rotations, and improved footwork precision. The traction pattern consists of a rubber compound arranged in a wiper-blade design with deep tread grooves that help players dig into the court and make rapid, sharp movements. Additionally, a second zone of nubbed traction is present in the forefoot area.
The Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut 2 also incorporates a refined heel shape for a more secure fit and a carved-out midsole that reduces weight without sacrificing performance. The inclusion of a heel Zoom Air unit and a drop-in React foam sockliner further demonstrate Nike's commitment to evolving their shoe designs based on player feedback.
Overall, the Nike Air Zoom G.T. series exemplifies Nike's dedication to sports technology innovation, aiming to enhance player agility and speed through cutting-edge design and technical advancements.
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GT Hustle 2 silhouette
Ben Simmons, a professional basketball player, has had a career that has seen more downs than ups in recent years due to health and personal issues. However, he is hoping to make a long-term comeback with the Clippers and is pinning his faith on the new GT Hustle 2 silhouette. The Nike Zoom GT Hustle 2, part of Nike's "Greater Than" series, is a mid-cut, in-line basketball sneaker. The "Greater Than" program is one of the best-selling and best-performing sets that Nike Basketball has introduced in recent years. The GT Hustle 2 first released in August 2023, with new editions typically retailing for $170 and some special editions for $180.
The GT Hustle 2 has been a frequent choice of basketball phenom Victor Wembanyama, and his loyalty to the shoe was rewarded with the wide release of the GT Hustle 2 "Wemby" in May 2024. The GT Hustle 2 has also appeared in a "Talaria"-themed colourway, as well as the "Total Orange" colourway, which was released in April 2024.
The silhouette has been described as "3/4 cut model tooled for those who take care". This suggests that the shoe is designed for players who exhibit careful and precise movements on the court, which aligns with Simmons' playing style as a methodical and strategic player.
In terms of his shoe deal, Simmons signed a unique 5-year, $20 million contract with Nike in 2016 after being drafted 1st overall out of LSU. The deal included large base salaries and bonuses that could push the total contract value north of $40 million if Simmons were to win certain awards.
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Adidas negotiations
After being the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, Ben Simmons sought a lucrative shoe deal. He negotiated with both Nike and Adidas, playing them off against each other to drive a hard bargain. Simmons's strategy paid off, and he secured a 5-year, $20 million contract with Nike. The deal included a substantial base salary and bonuses that could increase the total value to over $40 million if Simmons met certain performance targets, such as being named first-team All-NBA or MVP. However, Simmons's career has been marred by injuries and personal issues, causing him to sit out for extended periods. Despite this, he remains optimistic about a long-term comeback with the Clippers and is currently putting his faith in the new GT Hustle 2 silhouette shoe.
The Adidas negotiations must have been intense and strategic. Simmons, a highly sought-after prospect, likely presented his value proposition to both companies. He may have emphasised his exceptional passing skills, which have made him one of the most polarising players in the NBA. By creating competition between the two brands, Simmons could have shared his performance goals and expressed his desire for a contract that rewarded him for meeting those goals.
Simmons could have shared his expectations for a long-term partnership, emphasising the value he could bring to the brand over multiple years. He might have discussed the potential for co-branded merchandise and the opportunity to collaborate on designing signature shoes, leveraging his unique playing style and personality. The negotiations probably involved back-and-forth discussions on contract length, base salary, and performance incentives.
Adidas, known for its innovative and performance-focused footwear, may have presented Simmons with a detailed plan for a signature shoe line. They could have highlighted the latest technologies and features they would incorporate into his shoes, ensuring superior comfort, stability, and traction on the court. Additionally, Adidas might have offered marketing and promotional opportunities, leveraging their existing athlete endorsements and campaigns to showcase how they could build Simmons's brand and image.
Ben Simmons's negotiations with Adidas likely centred around his vision for a long-term partnership, performance incentives, and brand-building opportunities. By creating a competitive environment, Simmons successfully secured a lucrative deal that met his financial and career goals. While the specifics of the Adidas offer are not publicly known, the intense negotiations undoubtedly contributed to shaping the final terms of Simmons's landmark contract with Nike.
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Ben Simmons' last shoe game
Ben Simmons, the NBA All-Star, missed the entire 2024-25 season due to issues with the Philadelphia 76ers and a back injury after being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Simmons has had a challenging career, with health and personal problems causing him to sit out for extended periods.
However, he appears to be in good health and spirits now. He was seen sitting courtside at an NBA Summer League game and a WNBA game, where he wore Off-White x Air Jordan 2 Low sneakers. These sneakers, designed by Virgil Abloh, feature a white leather upper with red piping, yellowed eyelets, and Michael Jordan's signature on the lateral side. The midsole is artificially yellowed and decayed, giving the shoes a unique, aged look.
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets as a result of a holdout from the 76ers following the 2020-21 season. This led to him becoming the most-fined player in NBA history in terms of total financial loss.
In his most recent game on April 11, 2025, against the Sacramento Kings, Simmons wore the Nike Air Zoom G.T. He finished the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks across 22.0 minutes per game in 51 regular-season appearances.
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Frequently asked questions
Ben Simmons wears the Nike Air Zoom G.T.
In 2016, Simmons signed a 5-year, $20 million contract with Nike, which could push north of $40 million if certain conditions are met.
Simmons is putting his faith in the new GT Hustle 2 silhouette for his long-term comeback with the Clippers.
