Giannis Antetokounmpo could be in the running to cash in big in his next sneaker endorsement deal. The lanky Milwaukee Bucks forward is making a mere $25,000 a year under Nike to wear his branded sneakers, but they're a result of a four-year deal he signed with the shoe and apparel brand with the intentions of him playing in Spain.
Instead, he declared for the NBA Draft, a decision that will now put him in the position to get a major raise, according to ESPN's Nick DePaula.
Antetokounmpo could be looking to earn as much or even more than New York Knicks unicorn Kristaps Porzingis, netting as much as $7-to-10 million per year for as many as five seasons.
“That price range has become the starting point for expectations on the offers that Antetokounmpo and his camp are planning to hear later this month,” wrote DePaula. “'The bar was set with Porzingis, in terms of financials,' says one brand source. Some industry sources feel the Greek Freak could be looking at as much as $7-10 million annually on a new five-year endorsement deal.”
While Under Armour and Adidas have reportedly shown interest in signing him, Nike has a “match clause” similar to that of an NBA's restricted free agent, which will allow the company to re-sign him to a hefty sum.
Antetokounmpo was described as a “creature of habit” — having worn the Kobe X Low sneakers for the past two seasons. The jack of all trades turned down negotiations with Nike during last season to focus on basketball but is now set to meet with other brands with hopes of having his own signature shoe by 2018-19 and earn 5 percent of every pair of shoes sold.
Adidas could look to add a forward to their signature shoe line, as they currently only have guards.
“The brand had hoped that Timberwolves rising phenom Andrew Wiggins could fill that role, but internally there has been strong hesitation about whether Wiggins could carry his own signature shoe,” wrote DePaula. “Antetokounmpo’s game is already more established and more accomplished, leading the company to look at making a massive offer that could steal him away from Nike.”
Under Armour could also make a run for him, as Antetokounmpo and the face of the brand, Stephen Curry, share the same agent.
Regardless of where he chooses to sign, it is a sure shot to say he will be making a hefty amount when his signature line launches in the near future.
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