Sonic Boom: Kevin Durant Signs As First Athlete Endorser For OKC-Based QSR

Thunder F Kevin Durant has signed an endorsement deal with fast food drive-in chain Sonic to be its "first-ever athlete ambassador," according to Darren Rovell of ESPN.com. Sonic "is not an NBA partner nor a Thunder partner, but expects to feature Durant heavily, especially during the playoffs." Durant as part of the deal "will be responsible for coming up with his own dishes for the brand, which recently opened up a new test kitchen." Roc Nation Sports President & Chief Strategy Officer Michael Yormark, whose agency reps the NBAer, said that Durant's items "will be more geared towards the healthier side." Rovell notes the partnership is the "second deal that Durant has done this year" with a company based in Oklahoma City -- he signed with yogurt franchise Orange Leaf in September. With a portfolio that also includes Nike, 2K Sports, BBVA Compass, Panini, Sparking Ice and nut and fruit bar company Kind, among others, Durant has "more endorsement deals than any NBA player" (ESPN.com, 11/20).