An offseason move to the Bulls could see G Zach LaVine "cash in as he looks for a new sneaker-endorsement deal" heading into the '17-18 season, according to Nick DePaula of ESPN.com. The deal LaVine signed with Nike "expires at the end of this month, and the move to Chicago meant an overnight rise in intrigue from a handful of brands looking to sign him" -- even as he recovers from a torn ACL. LaVine, who is repped by BDA Sports' Nima Namakian, is the "biggest wild card across the industry, with perhaps the most untapped marketing potential." He "signed a three-year deal" with Nike in '14, and his "continual rise on the court, along with his prolific slam-dunk-contest exploits, have already angled him toward being one of the most sought-after players by brands." Adidas is "interested in signing LaVine," and he also has "emerged as the top target of Chinese brands Li-Ning, Anta and Peak." But Nike is "expected to aggressively look to make its own initial offer in the coming weeks to retain LaVine" and has a match clause in its current deal. Any new deal with LaVine will allow a brand to "align itself for the prime of his career." LaVine has also "proven to have the right mix of variables that brands are always looking for in an endorser: explosive style, the ball in his hands and a willingness to wear a variety of attention-grabbing sneakers" (ESPN.com, 9/5).
FOOD CRITIC: LaVine said it was "cool" filming a recent Sonic commercial with two Chicago improv comics. LaVine said of endorsing a QSR, "They might not be the best thing for my diet, but I'm 22, I can eat one every once in a while" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/5).
