Under Armour seems intent on entering the bidding war with Nike for the rights Kevin Durant’s shoe contract.
The Baltimore-based apparel company, not far from where Durant grew up, has offered the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar and NBA MVP a deal reportedly worth between $250 and $265 million for 10 years, according to sources in the shoe industry..
Under Armour’s offer also includes stock options, royalties on the sale of his product and a community recreational center.
Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, could also re-sign with Nike, which signed Durant to a seven-year deal worth nearly 70 million in 2007 and has right of first refusal. Nike turned Durant into a huge brand name with its innovative adverstising campaigns and development of the best selling KD shoe.
But Under Armour, which wants a bigger share of the basketball shoe market, feels Durant can deliver, especially if he has a blowout Olmypics in 2016 at Rio, becomes the face of American basketball internationally once LeBron retires from international competition and leaves Oklahoma City to play for the big market Washington Wizards in his hometown after he becomes a free agent. Under Armour signed Golden State Warriors All-Star guard Stephen Curry last year, adding him to its roster that includes Brandon Jennings, Kemba Walker and Greivis Vasquez.
Durant has already made waves this summer when he withdrew for Team USA’s World Cup team, which will leave for Spain after tonight’s exhibition game against Puerto Rico in the Garden. Durant claimed he was too fatigued from a long NBA season to continue. His absence reportedly cost FIBA $2 million dollars in advertising. The rumors about Under Armour’s bid began to perculate shortly after he made his announcement.
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