Trail Blazers G Damian Lillard has signed a new deal with adidas that will make him "one of the highest-earning endorsers in the NBA," according to Windhorst & Rovell of ESPN.com. Sources said that the deal is for up to 10 years and could be worth up to $100M "including incentives and options." It is "believed to be the largest shoe deal" since Bulls G Derrick Rose signed a 13-year deal with adidas in '12 that was estimated at more than $185M. Heat F LeBron James and Thunder F Kevin Durant, both Nike endorsers, "are the highest-earning active players when it comes to shoe endorsements." Lillard, who has "connected with young fans because of his shooting ability and easygoing personality," will appear in a "series of Foot Locker ads pitching adidas starting this week in which he co-stars with several retired football and basketball stars." He did not have a signature shoe as part of his initial contract with adidas, but the company "will likely put one in its plans" (ESPN.com, 4/14). CSNNW.com's Chris Haynes first reported two weeks ago that Lillard's deal "was on the cusp of being finalized." Haynes reported the deal "was actually signed" on April 1 in L.A., prior to the Blazers' game against the Lakers. Due to Lillard "reaching certain performance incentive clauses in his adidas rookie shoe deal, he was able to opt out at the end of the season to pursue a long-term, prosperous contract with adidas" (CSNNW.com, 4/14). ESPN's Keith Olbermann said the new deal is "not bad for a guy making just over $3 million a year in his rookie contract" ("Olbermann," ESPN2, 4/14).
THREE STRIPES, YOU'RE OUT: USA TODAY's Sam Amick noted adidas has endured a "trying stretch when it comes to its top NBA talents, with Rose suffering devastating injuries in consecutive campaigns" and Rockets C Dwight Howard's "star fading during his time" with the Lakers last season (USATODAY.com, 4/14). In Chicago, Rick Telander writes adidas "seems to have moved on" from making Rose the focus of its NBA efforts. The company was "all in with Rose until his knees blew out." Telander: "You can't blame the company. How do you promote your latest Rose models with a guy on crutches?" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/15).
