2015 NBA Finals - Game Three (Photo : Getty Images)
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James was just made a lifetime endorser of sportswear Nike. In signing up the athlete, Nike points out that LeBron provides significant value to its business, brand and shareholders.
Nike declined to say how much the deal costs, but ESPN cites its source that it would surely be bigger than the 10-year $300-million agreement of Nike with Kevin Durant, forward of Oklahoma City Thunder, inked last summer.
LeBron's deal is believed to be the first lifetime agreement in Nike's 44-year history. In response to his windfall, the player says, "I'm just grateful that Nike and [Nike founder] Phil Knight and everyone over there just believed in a skinny-old, skinny 18-year-old kid from Akron, Ohio, and I'm happy to be a part of such a great company."
Maverick Carter, business partner of LeBron, says they have been fans and users of Nike since they were kids. Building an innovative global business with the sports brand is a dream come true for the athlete. "He's thrilled to know he's a Nike guy for life," Carter adds.
The Verge acknowledges that there is no better candidate than LeBron who also has endorsement for production companies, sports agencies and juice bars.
It appears to be Nike's first lifetime deal, although other sports brand had done it before. Soccer player David Beckham and Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose are lifetime endorsers of Adidas, while it is ex-Philadelphia 76ers point guard Allen Iverson for Reebok.
However, there is a possibility that Michael Jordan, who is on his 30th Air Jordan shoes, has a de facto lifetime deal with the iconic brand.
