Sports
Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller Among NBA Rookies to Sign Nike Endorsement Contract – Bleacher Report
Nike Basketball announced its full list of endorsees from the 2023 NBA draft class, a group that includes Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller and brothers Amen and Ausar Thompson.
BREAKING: Nike has signed 13 NBA rookies to shoe deals. 📄✍️<br><br>Full class includes:<br>• Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs <br>• Brandon Miller – Charlotte Hornets<br>• Amen Thompson – Houston Rockets<br>• Ausar Thompson – Detroit Pistons <br>• Anthony Black – Orlando Magic <br>• Kobe… <a href="https://t.co/S6fqqXSQjP">pic.twitter.com/S6fqqXSQjP</a>
Wembanyama, the most hyped prospect since perhaps LeBron James in 2003, is the crown jewel. He originally signed with Nike while playing professionally in France, and his deal is now carrying over to his NBA career.
It’s unclear how much the No. 1 overall pick is collecting from Nike. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Jonathan Givony reported in February his agents thought his endorsement earnings “could eventually approach $100 million.”
James famously received a seven-year, $90 million deal from Nike before he ever made his NBA debut. That bet has paid off handsomely for the company, with the four-time MVP eventually penning a lifetime contract.
Wembanyama aside, Nike will be well-represented by this year’s rookies.
Miller was the No. 2 overall pick, while the Thompson twins came off the board in the top five. All three figure to have prominent roles on rebuilding teams that will use every opportunity to showcase them.
Anthony Black, Bilal Coulibaly and Cason Wallace were all top-10 selections and will thus garner plenty of attention as well.
In the case of Dereck Lively II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper, they’ll both get a sizable spotlight thanks to playing alongside Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. The Dallas Mavericks have 28 games on national television.
The competition for Nike isn’t going anywhere. Skechers became the next apparel company looking to widen its basketball footprint after reportedly targeting Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
But its 2023 rookie class reinforced how Nike arguably remains at the top of the mountain.