Ja Morant and Nike Agree to Endorsement Deal
Ja Morant is the most sought-after guard in the 2019 NBA draft. He has agreed to a shoe deal with sports apparel and shoemaker Nike.
Morant insisted after turning pro last month that he would not meet or engage with any brands other than Nike. He kept true to his word, signing a multimillion dollar apparel and footwear endorsement contract with Nike.
According to reports, the deal was already agreed to prior to the draft lottery held on May 14.
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On Instagram, Morant wrote that all his life his parents worked hard to get a check and now he is proud to say he works for the check – Nike.
Morant may work for Nike by wearing the well-established sneakers of the brand in the NBA. However, his employer is expected to be the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.
It is expected that former Duke sensation Zion Williamson will be the No. 1 overall pick and if drafted No. 2, which most expect, Morant is expected to be paid $39.55 million for a four-year rookie deal.
During his rookie year, Ja Morant would earn $8.72 million with raises of 5% the next two seasons, while the final year of the rookie contract would see a more significant 26% raise to just over $12 million.
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Nike has an eight-year partnership with the NBA worth $1 billion as the league’s official apparel and jersey outfitter. For the first time this year will feature the logo of a brand on NBA uniforms worn in games.
More than 67% of the NBA players wore Nike this past season, with 7% more wearing the Jordan Brand Nike subsidiary shoe during games.
After wearing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant signature sneakers during his two seasons playing for Murray State Morant, who is 19, will joined a crowded list of athletes representing Nike.
The brand boasts at this time five sets of signature shoes for Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Paul George, Irving and Durant while Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Zoom Freak 1 sneaker will launch this summer.
