Kevin Durant, a top basketball star, has entered into a lifetime contract with Nike, making him the third NBA player to secure such a deal, following in the footsteps of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
The 13-time All-Star has been associated with Nike since 2007 and has rolled out 15 different sets of shoes, with the 16th set on the way.
In a statement posted on Boardroom, a media company he co-founded, Durant expressed his excitement about the partnership: “When I first signed with Nike, I couldn’t have dreamed of how far we’d go in this partnership. We’ve done amazing work creatively and philanthropically. We’ve traveled the world together and built a business that will now last forever. I’m excited for the future and honored to be in rare company with this deal.”
The lifetime deal will encompass shoes and other apparel, as well as community and philanthropic endeavors focused on grassroots basketball.
The 34-year-old Durant recently joined the Phoenix Suns in a midseason trade with the Brooklyn Nets and has teamed up with Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton to propel the Suns to victory against the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA playoffs’ opening round. Their upcoming challenge is facing the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
John Slusher, Nike’s executive vice president of global marketing, commented on the significance of the partnership with Durant, saying, “As one of the best basketball players in the world, Kevin Durant has been an important part of the Nike family for the past 16 years. We look forward to continuing to serve the next generation of athletes together.”
