Amanda Knapp
Many basketball players have their own signature shoe lines, endorsed by major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. At the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, 22 players had their own signature shoes, with stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with some of the most lucrative deals. Other players with signature shoes include Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Joel Embiid, and Zion Williamson, showcasing the growing trend of athletes building their brands through endorsements and collaborations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players with signature shoes in 2021-22 | 22 |
| Number of players with signature shoes in 2020-21 | 16 |
| Players with signature Nike shoes | LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Diana Taurasi, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, De'Aaron Fox, Ben Simmons, Sue Bird, Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner, Jonquel Jones, Emma Meesseman, A'ja Wilson |
| Players with signature Jordan Brand shoes | Zion Williamson, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo Russell |
| Players with signature Adidas shoes | James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Derrick Rose, Damian Lillard |
| Players with signature Under Armour shoes | Joel Embiid, Steph Curry, Kawhi Leonard |
| Players with signature Puma shoes | LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson |
| Players with signature Li-Ning shoes | Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo Russell |
| Players with signature Anta shoes | Gordon Hayward |
| Players with independent signature shoes | Spencer Dinwiddle, Langston Galloway |
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What You'll Learn
Signature shoe deals with Nike
Signature shoe deals are an important aspect of the basketball world, with players and brands collaborating to create unique and innovative sneakers. These deals showcase a player's style, personality, and playing ability, often serving as a status symbol among basketball fans and sneaker enthusiasts. Nike, one of the top sportswear brands globally, has a strong presence in the basketball shoe market and boasts an impressive roster of NBA players with signature shoe deals.
LeBron James, a legendary NBA player, has had a long-standing relationship with Nike. He signed a $90 million agreement with the brand in 2003 when he was just 18 years old, and his partnership with Nike has since evolved into a lifetime deal. James' Nike signature shoes, including the Nike LeBron 18, showcase his enduring association with the brand.
Kevin Durant, another prominent NBA player, has had significant success with his signature shoe line with Nike. Ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season, Durant was set to release his 14th signature sneaker with the brand, reflecting his enduring popularity. Durant's signature shoes, such as the KD16 sneakers, have become sought-after items for basketball enthusiasts.
Kyrie Irving, a former teammate of LeBron James, also has a notable deal with Nike. Irving's signature shoes, such as the Kyrie 7, have gained traction among fans. However, in 2023, Nike cut ties with Irving due to a controversial post, and he subsequently collaborated with the Chinese brand Anta.
In addition to these established stars, Nike has also signed deals with rising talents such as Devin Booker, who released the Nike Book 1 during the 2023 holiday season, and Ja Morant, whose signature silhouette, the Nike Ja 1, was highly anticipated.
Nike's dominance in the basketball shoe market is evident through these signature shoe deals, solidifying its position as a leading brand in sports footwear.
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Signature shoe deals with Adidas
Adidas has signed several talented basketball players to signature shoe deals. The oldest active player with his own Adidas shoe deal is Derrick Rose, who signed a 14-year, $190 million deal with Adidas shortly after his 2010-11 MVP season. Damian Lillard has sold eight editions of signature shoes with Adidas, while James Harden is up to Vol. 7 with the company. Donovan Mitchell is on his D.O.N. Issue #4, and the Trae Young 3 debuted in August 2023. In September 2023, Adidas announced a new addition to its signature lineup with the upcoming AE 1 shoe, with details to be released in December.
Other Adidas signature shoe deals include WNBA player Candace Parker, who wore the Adidas Ace Versatility in 2011, and the Exhibit Select CP shoes are currently available. Andrew Wiggins also has his own signature shoe with Adidas, although he is no longer with the company. Wiggins played college basketball at Kansas, an Adidas school, before being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Zach LaVine also had a deal with Adidas that expired in October 2021.
Adidas has also signed several other NBA All-Stars to deals, including Jaylen Brown, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Lowry.
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Signature shoe deals with Jordan Brand
Jordan Brand, which came to be in 1997, has had several signature shoe deals with NBA players. The brand was started by Michael Jordan, who assembled a team of disciples to carry on his legacy. Los Angeles Lakers wing Eddie Jones and Seattle Supersonics forward Vin Baker were among the early endorsers of the brand.
In 2006, Chris Paul signed with Jordan Brand and has since released a dozen signature shoes. Russell Westbrook is up to his fourth collaboration with the brand, with the 'Why Not?' Zer0.4 being his most recent. In 2009, Dwyane Wade moved to Jordan Brand in a deal that shook up the industry. He was the face of the annual game shoe franchise and earned his own signature sneaker with the Fly Wade. Zion Williamson is the latest player to get his own Jordan Brand line, signing a five-year agreement in 2021. Luka Dončić is another player who has a signature shoe deal with Jordan Brand. His shoe, the Jordan Luka 1, debuted in 2022.
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Signature shoe deals with Under Armour
Several NBA players have signed signature shoe deals with Under Armour. The most notable of these is Stephen "Steph" Curry, who signed with the brand in 2013. Curry's deal was reportedly worth $4 million per year, and he has since released 10 signature shoes with Under Armour. Curry's success with the brand has made him the face of Under Armour, with the company featuring him prominently on billboards and TV spots.
In 2018, Under Armour signed Joel Embiid, a 7-foot Philadelphia 76ers center and the 2023 NBA Most Valuable Player. During his five years with the brand, Embiid released only one signature shoe, the UA Embiid One, which was revealed in August 2020. Other Under Armour athletes include Mo Bamba, Patty Mills, and Emmanuel Mudiay. In 2020, the company also welcomed WNBA draftees Bella Alarie, Kaila Charles, and Tyasha Harris.
Prior to signing Embiid, Under Armour's basketball business was primarily driven by Curry. Curry's success with the brand has been critical for both parties. While Curry rose to meteoric success, Under Armour faced lawsuits, government investigations, and a decline in sales and corporate culture. Despite these challenges, Curry remained loyal to the brand, pursuing his philanthropic ambitions and aiming to create signature footwear that gives back to the community.
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Basketball players with their own independent shoe brands
Several basketball players have their own independent shoe brands or signature shoes in collaboration with major brands. Nike, Adidas, and Jordan Brand are some of the major brands that have established partnerships with basketball players, creating signature shoes that bear the players' names and showcase their style and personality.
LeBron James is one of the most prominent NBA stars with his own signature shoe line with Nike. James has been partnered with Nike since 2003, when he signed a $90 million deal at just 18 years old, and his association with the brand has since turned into a lifetime deal. Kevin Durant is another NBA superstar with a long-lasting signature shoe deal with Nike, having released 14 signature sneakers with the brand.
Other notable players with signature shoes from Nike include Kyrie Irving, who has his eighth signature shoe with the brand, and Paul George, who has five sets of PG basketball shoes with Nike. Additionally, former NBA players like Kobe Bryant have also had signature shoes with Nike.
Adidas has also signed deals with several players, including Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Trae Young, and Derrick Rose. Former players such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tracy McGrady also had signature shoes with Adidas during their playing days.
The Jordan Brand, a subsidiary of Nike, has its own roster of NBA stars. Zion Williamson, for instance, chose Jordan Brand over other competing brands, becoming just the fifth player in the brand's history to receive his own signature shoe. Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook are also among the players with signature shoes under the Jordan Brand.
Under Armour is another brand that has signed deals with NBA stars like Joel Embiid, who released the "UA Embiid One" in 2020, and Stephen Curry, who recently released his ninth sneaker, the "Curry 9."
Other players with their own signature shoes include Gordon Hayward with Anta, Kawhi Leonard with New Balance, and LaMelo Ball with Puma.
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Frequently asked questions
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, and Zion Williamson all have signature shoe deals with Nike.
No WNBA player has a signature shoe deal with Nike, but Diana Taurasi did release the "GOAT Vision" LeBron 18 with a DT GOAT logo on the tongue.
Adidas has signed James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, and Derrick Rose to its books.
Joel Embiid, Steph Curry, and Kawhi Leonard have signature shoe deals with Under Armour.
Russell Westbrook, Zion Williamson, and Chris Paul have signature shoe deals with Jordan Brand.
