Footwear and apparel manufacturer Adidas is set to add another name to their growing list of sponsored players. As reported by Nick DePaula of The Vertical, New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis has signed a multiyear contract with the Three-Stripes brand.
The deal will pay the 21-year-old between $3 to $6 million, making it the biggest shoe deal for a European player in history.
Porzingis, who was sponsored by Nike last season, revealed that he received offers from other companies like Under Armour and China-based brands when he became a shoe free agent October 1.
His camp eventually trimmed down the choice to Nike and Adidas. Since the latter offered a better package, it became an easier decision for the Latvian to sign with them. Nike on the other hand, still has until the middle of this month to match the offer and retain the 7-foot-3 forward on their side.
The former fourth overall pick of the 2015 draft talked about how it felt like to have gotten so much attention from the two leading sneaker manufacturers:
“All I can say is both Nike and Adidas are first-class companies. I would be lucky to align myself with either one. The amount of attention I received was flattering, but right now I am letting my agents handle the business side of things.”
Adidas is focused on stacking up on young athletes who have huge potential. Just last August, they locked in six of the top 10 picks of this year's draft to sponsorship deals and plan to be part of their individual journeys to stardom.
With Kristaps Porzingis part of their fold, Adidas now has one of the brightest young stars of the NBA today, whose popularity rose drastically last season after the impact he's made and hope he has given to the New York City faithful.
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