Why is Kevin Durant’s lifetime contract with Nike such a big deal?
He may be the Suns’ newest star, but he’s been a star of the league for quite some time and that’s now reflected in this latest agreement with the sporting goods giant.
Though we can’t think why there would have been any doubt, Kevin Durant is a true star of the NBA. With that in mind, the Phoenix Suns’ newest and biggest star has now been recognized in a way that few others in the game have.
Kevin Durant signs with Nike for life
According to reports, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant has now joined an elite club, in that he’s now set to become just the third athlete to sign a lifetime contract with Nike. Indeed, Durant joins both Chicago Bulls legend, Michael Jordan and Los Angeles Lakers icon, LeBron James as the only athletes to be offered such a privilege. Durant announced the move recently via Boardroom, a media outlet which he cofounded with longtime manager, Rich Kleiman.
“When I first signed with Nike, I couldn’t have dreamed of how far we’d go in this partnership,” Durant said. “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.”
Nike and Kevin Durant go way back
If you didn’t know, Durant signed with Nike back in his rookie year which was 2007. That’s to say, there have been 15 iterations of the KD shoe since he first put pen to paper. You might have noticed the KD 16 which he’s been wearing during the first round of the playoffs. Yet, it’s got to be said that Durant’s relationship with the Portland based organization goes way beyond a simple shoe deal. Being an avid philanthropist, Nike has offered Durant a platform from which to create programs that directly target grassroots basketball. From the Durant Family Foundation and Team Durant, they have jointly upgraded basketball courts in “at-need communities” which is something that according to Boardroom will continue to be the case.
“As one of best basketball players in the world, Kevin Durant has been an important part of the Nike family for the past 16 years,” Nike EVP of global sports marketing John Slusher told Boardroom. “We look forward to continuing to serve the next generation of athletes together.”
Kevin Durant is as big as it gets
Having spent 15 seasons in the NBA, Kevin Durant has seen quite a bit. Yet, when you consider that of those seasons, he’s been an All-Star for 13, he’s not only got experience, but he’s got it at the very top. During that time, Durant won two NBA championships and three Olympic gold medals with Team USA. As he makes his 12th appearance this season in the NBA playoffs, he is also sitting in 13th on the league’s all-time scoring list. On Saturday the former Nets star will be hoping to help his new team open with a win in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Denver Nuggets.