Puma landing Bagley is a major first step to re-establishing the company as a factor in the NBAgetty images
Top NBA Draft prospect Marvin Bagley III is "signing a lucrative five-year shoe contract with Puma," according to sources cited by Jon Krawczynski of THE ATHLETIC. The deal "marks a return to the NBA shoe game for Puma, which hasn't had a player under contract since Vince Carter 20 years ago." Puma has "quietly been preparing to jump back into the basketball shoe competition, testing shoes with a number of top prospects" for next week's Draft. Landing Bagley is a "major first step to re-establishing the company as a factor in the NBA." Puma is also "believed to be negotiating with several other high-profile prospects in an effort to make a big splash." Bagley had "close ties to Nike both in the AAU circuit and at Duke, but ultimately chose to go another direction." Terms of the deal were "not immediately available, but for an upstart company to land such a highly touted prospect, it's likely Puma had to go big" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/15). ESPN.com's Nick DePaula reported Bagley is "expected to be a featured athlete in several upcoming category and brand global initiatives" for Puma. The company's "most notable sports spokesman in North America" has been golfer Rickie Fowler. Meanwhile, Puma also on Thursday signed EPL club Manchester United F Romelu Lukaku to a multiyear deal, and sources said that it was the "largest sponsorship deal in the company's history." As part of Bagley's new deal, Puma will also "commit to a grassroots infrastructure with the Bagley family that will focus on skill development for a future generation of AAU players" (ESPN.com, 6/14).
INTERESTING CHOICE: ESPN’s Mike Greenberg called it “fascinating” Puma signed Bagley, saying, "I think he’s going to be the best player in this draft, but he’s certainly not the biggest rookie in years.” ESPN’s Jalen Rose predicted Bagley would be the best player in the draft, saying, "The guy you probably want to sign to a shoe deal (is the one) that projects to be the next Chris Bosh." He called it a "great move by the young man and for Puma.” Rose said there are “so many people are followers to the point where you hear Puma you’re going to automatically frown and say, ‘Why didn’t he go to what’s familiar to me?’” He said Puma “has always put out terrific products” ("Get Up!,” ESPN, 6/15).
MORE DEALS COMING? In Portland, Jeff Manning cites sources as saying that Puma is also "close to a deal" with top Draft prospect Deandre Ayton. Meanwhile, Adidas is "courting" fellow top prospect Trae Young. One NBA agent said that Adidas has "offered Young" $1.8M a year. The same source said that Puma has "offered Bagley and Ayton" around $1M a year (Portland OREGONIAN, 6/15).
