After an impressive 2013-14 season that saw him win the league's Most Valuable Player award, Kevin Durant signed a long-term, 10-year endorsement contract with Nike. But the Golden State Warriors superstar's partnership with the Swoosh dates back way beyond 2014.
Durant sat down with Slam Magazine's Max Resetar as the two-time NBA champion discussed how his affiliation with Nike started.
“I fell in love with wanting to have my own shoe, wanting to have my own brand and that grew for me as I grew as a player,” Durant remembers. “Once I got out of college I had a couple of options on the table and I was like, No way I’m going with anyone but Nike. Then as I got closer to being an NBA player, it became a reality and it’s just a dream come true.”
Resetar also recalls the Warriors forward wearing Nike and Jordan Brand shoes even before he signed to any deal.
“The Swoosh officially linked up with him a few weeks after he was selected with the second pick in the ’07 draft. He had been wearing Nike and Jordan Brand for years by that point. A two-high school product, he played in the Air Jordan XIV at Montrose Christian (MD) and then in the Jordan Melo 1.5 at Oak Hill (VA). He then wore the Nike Air Max Enforcer for most of his one season with the Texas Longhorns.”
“His relationship with Nike dates back to his time in Virginia when he met a Nike rep as a high school sophomore.”
With his eleventh shoe for the Swoosh already unveiled last May, Durant has inspired up-and-coming athletes and even young children to aspire and dream big. His 10-year, $300 million deal with Nike in 2014 was not just a money talk. It is a testament to how the four-time scoring champ worked hard to achieve his childhood dreams.
Follow Us
Subscribe