Kevin Durant has inked a lifetime endorsement deal with Nike. The news was confirmed today by the Boardroom, a media network that was founded by Durant and his longtime manager, Rich Kleiman.
“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,” Durant said about his new deal with Nike.
Durant first inked an endorsement deal with the Swoosh in 2007 when he was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics. Durant’s first signature shoe with Nike, the Zoom KD 1, released in 2008 and since then, a new KD model has hit retail every year including a soon-to-be-released KD 16.
There was a brief moment in 2014 when Durant could have parted ways with Nike after his contract with the brand expired that summer. Shortly after, Durant reportedly received a 10-year, $285 million offer from Under Armour, but Nike countered the offer and thus keeping him on its roster.
Aside from products, Nike has supported Durant’s involvement in grassroots basketball, which included partnering with the Durant Family Foundation to assist in creating and renewing basketball facilities and courts in underserved communities across the globe.
“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,” John Slusher, Nike’s EVP of global sports marketing, said.
Other notable athletes who have signed endorsement deals with Nike of this magnitude include LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
