The Rockets star has finalized a 13-year, $200 million endorsement deal with Adidas after Nike chose not to match the offer.
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Harden’s huge deal is a move by adidas to reclaim it’s spot behind Nike in apparel sales.
As part of the deal, Harden will get his signature shoe, as well as being an ambassador for the brand in Europe and Asia.
“We’ll, over the weekend Khlo-money was spotted at James” Drew League game … sporting Adidas. From TMZ, they cite that Harden has Adidas ties with Houston Rockets teammate Dwight Howard, rumored girlfriend Khloe Kardashian and Kanye West, Khloe’s brother in law.
Harden joins Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves as marquee National Basketball Association players under contract with Adidas.
Harden’s agent confirmed the switch, which begins on October 1., to ESPN. KD had his own signature shoe while Westbrook and Harden were becoming the face of the Hyperfuse and Hyperdunk, respectively. He’s already one of the most recognizable sports figures because of his game, his look, his hunger to win and his style on and off the court.
In his six years with Nike, Harden has never had a signature shoe, but the Hyperchase, which he wore nearly exclusively last year, sold well. His ceiling is far from reached, which tells you the future for him and our brand looks incredible.
To begin the partnership, Harden will play a leading role in adidas’ global brand campaign which will coincide with the start of the National Basketball Association season.
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For Adidas, the massive long-term deal demonstrates a commitment to continuing to infiltrate a basketball sneaker industry dominated by Nike (which estimates ownership of roughly 95% of the U.S. basketball sneakers market), with Under Armour quickly expanding its own line of products. Harden’s alma mater Arizona State also switched from Nike to Adidas this offseason. Unlike during the deals with Reebok and Adidas, Nike’s logo will appear on National Basketball Association game jerseys.
