Diversity has been the number one thrust in America's pop culture for the past several years. Celebrities and important players in film, TV, and entertainment have continued to push towards a more diverse playing field. For them, non-Americans should have a fair share of the pie.
This trend can also be observed in the sports arena. Giannis Antetokounmpo's recent deal with Nike is a sign of things to come. As revealed by 60 Minutes, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar will be the first foreign-born player with a signature Nike shoe.
Milwaukee plans to open a new $500M facility next season, and Giannis will soon become the first foreign-born player to have his own signature shoe from Nike. #60Minutes
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) March 26, 2018
It is a surprise especially since Nike has a ton of athletes under its belt who have their own signature shoes. Among the players that Nike has given trademark shoes are Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, just to name a few.
For cultural observers, this deal between Nike and Antetokounmpo is an important milestone. It should form part of America's list of efforts in becoming more welcoming to the rest of the world. Yet for the Bucks forward, the blessings he receives for playing basketball won't change him, whether it's a multi-million dollar contract or a shoe deal with the biggest sportswear company in the world.
As reported by Chris Haynes of ESPN,
“So, just growing up and going through life and how tough life was for me and my family, I'm always going to stay humble. Even now, it doesn't really matter if I've got a $100 million contract or a $100 million Nike contract, it's the way I grew up, it's the way I go through life. I'm not changing.”
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