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Closing Bell

Antetokounmpo's Agent Dishes On Representing Bucks Star

Basketball agent Alex Saratsis sat down for a Q&A on Day 1 of the Octagon Sports Marketing Symposium to talk about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s signature Nike shoe and how the Bucks’ superstar is handling the onslaught of marketing opportunities. Saratsis called the June launch of the Nike Air Zoom Freak 1, which coincided with Antetokounmpo winning his first NBA MVP award, a “perfect storm,” as the shoe was 18 months in the making. Antetokounmpo was in Greece for the launch and then began a U.S. tour that culminated with an MVP celebration in Milwaukee.

Saratsis, who works with Octagon, credited Nike with their attention to detail throughout the process. “Nike has this down to a science,” he said. The brand signed Antetokounmpo for the bargain price of $5,000 per year before he was drafted in ’13. After the four-year deal, he decided to remain with Nike and become the company’s first international signature athlete. Saratsis said Nike’s pitch was the simplest and, in the end, the most appealing. 

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