Under Armour, Nike (twice), Anta and a shoe to be named later will connect the 2016-17 Warriors starters to the hardcourt when Warrior Euphoria tips off on Oct. 25.
The NBA free agent frenzy sent close to $2 billion into the bank accounts of a number of players on the move over the past two weeks. The major athletic shoe companies play an influential decision-making role in many of these new contracts. As you look at the talented toes of Kevin Durant, he is coming to the Bay as Nike’s No. 2 endorser after LeBron James.
The Swoosh now has a nightly showcase against the Stephen Curry and Under Armour. Make no mistake: This is a battle for the hearts, minds, soles and credit cards of basketball shoe buyers in Northern California and beyond. Conduct your own focus groups and drop into your local sporting goods store to see what kicks the kids are lacing up.
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Under Armour and Steph Curry
Remember when there was speculation that Curry’s fragile ankles were going to cut short his career? Now every endorsement deal will be based on his rock-solid appeal in basketball and as an icon among the "big four" sports. Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank’s selection of Steph, golfer Jordan Spieth, baseball’s Bryce Harper, football's Tom Brady, simmer Michael Phelps and ballerina Misty Copeland has created one of the most successful groups in sports gear endorsement history.
Plank and UA have recently extended Curry’s deal through 2024. Beyond the licensing and rights deal, he owns an equity stake in Under Armour. Plank believes that by 2017, 22 percent of his company’s $7.5 billion dollar revenues will come from Curry-influenced footwear.
[REWIND: Steph Curry signs extension with Under Armour]
Steph Curry will be playing his final year contract with the Warriors in 2016-17 for a piddling $12,112,000 next season. Steph will be perfectly positioned to become the first $300 million salary man in NBA history.
Golden State Warriors
Nike and Kevin Durant
Durant’s contract with the Warriors is for two years at $54 million with a player option after Year 1.
Under Armour worked like crazy last summer to pry Durant away from Nike, offering him somewhere in the neighborhood of $275 million over 10 years. The offer included equity in the company and a recreation center named for Durant’s mother. Durant ultimately decided to take a 10-year deal with Nike that has the potential to reach $300 million and includes a $50 million retirement package. Durant's last Nike contract was worth $60 million over seven years.
Jordan and Michael Jordan
For reference, the Jordan brand hauls in an estimated $2.5 billion every year, and Jordan’s royalties are reportedly somewhere between $90 and $100 million annually. As a player, Jordan made just over $90 million over his entire 15-year career.
A CAUTIONARY NOTE
Curry: Remember those ankles that had Warrior’s worriers worrying? Curry had a surgical operation on his right ankle in May of 2011 and another in April of 2012. Every time a wet spot shows up in an NBA arena like in Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs on April 24 in Houston, Dub Nation will be holding its breath.
Durant: In October 2014, Druant had surgery to repair a broken right foot. In February 2015, he required surgery to remove a screw. There was a third surgery on the same foot a month later for a bone graft that ended his season. He put on the miles this past season with 72 games plus the playoffs. Big men and their foot problems have always been a cautionary tale in the NBA.
SHOE STATS
$25 billion dollars -- Size of athletic footwear industry, which is growing
22 -- Largest shoe size in NBA history, worn by Shaquille O'Neal, Bob Lanier, Dikembe Mutombo, Alton Lister and Jerome James
8.5 -- Smallest shoe size in NBA history, worn by Muggsy Bogues
$14.98 -- Cost of a pair of Starburys, Stephon Marbury's basketball shoes.
$50,000 -- Rapper BIG BOI’s diamond encrusted Nike Air Force Ones.
70 -- Percentage of basketball shoes purchased each year by American men that never set foot on a basketball court
2,000 -- Number of shoes in Phoenix Suns swingman P.J. Tucker's collection
$99,000 -- The cost of the most expensive basketball shoes in the world, according to urban legend: Two pairs of Nike Air Force 1 “Boogeyman” made for Andrew Bogut, the recently traded Warriors big man. G’day mate!
The Golden State Warriors starting lineup will be putting ten of the most talented feet in the basketball world on courts all over Northern America during the upcoming season. As the great streetball philosopher Mars Blackmon has said: "It's gotta be the shoes."
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