Kobe Bryant Signs Multi-Year Extension With Nike

Bryant Signs Multi-Year Deal To Stay With Nike

Lakers G Kobe Bryant has signed a multi-year extension with Nike, according to sources cited by Darren Rovell of CNBC.com. Bryant signed a five-year, $45M deal with Nike in June ’03, but the length and terms of his new deal are unknown.  It is also “not clear whether Bryant’s contract would vary depending on the market in which he is playing.”  China-based Li-Ning was expected to make a “substantial bid for Bryant [but] sources say that [negotiations] only got serious with Nike."  Nike is planning to launch the Zoom Kobe III on January 1 (CNBC.com, 6/4).

BILLUPS: adidas has signed a lifetime partnership with Pistons G Chauncey Billups. Billups was in the final year of a multi-year contract with the company. The partnership is for the remainder of Billups’ playing career, with the option for continued consulting upon retirement. adidas launched Billups' first signature shoe, the C-Billups, in March (adidas).

DURANT: In Portland, Helen Jung cited sources as saying that Nike’s “deep bench of NBA talent may actually be a disadvantage” in the pursuit of top NBA Draft prospect Kevin Durant.  Durant “might wonder whether Nike will devote much marketing effort to him.” adidas “doesn’t have a whole lot of flashy athletes with whom Durant would need to compete for attention” (OREGONLIVE.com, 6/4).