Zion Williamson isn't LeBron James. When it comes to the bidding war among shoe companies for the consensus top prospect in the 2019 NBA draft, though, Williamson's is expected to rival that of the four-time MVP's when he first entered the league back in 2003.
The internet sports book BetOnline.ag currently sets the over-under on the Duke sensation's first shoe endorsement deal at a whopping total of $75 million, with a money line of -120 on both sides.
James signed a record seven-year, $87 million deal with Nike before his rookie season, and has since been awarded a lifetime contract with the sports apparel and equipment giant. The only other comparable pre-draft deal to Williamson's likely one is Kevin Durant's. He signed a seven-year, $60 million contract with Nike after a historically dominant freshman season at Texas made him a national household name.
Legendary sneaker marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro told ESPN's Nick DePaula earlier this week that he expects Williamson's deal to break new ground in terms of bidding among various endorsers.
“In my lifetime, I think it's going to be the biggest bidding war ever done,” he said. “I would put them all on go.”
The Spartanburg, SC native might be the most unique draft prospect the NBA has ever seen. At 6-foot-7 and a muscled 285 pounds, Williamson is a once-in-a-generation athlete, combining mind-blowing leaping ability with the speed, quickness, and coordination of a player far smaller. He averaged 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game for the Blue Devils as a freshman, shooting a remarkable 68.9 percent from the field.
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