Talks with the Jordan Brand stalled earlier this year after Leonard turned down a four-year, $22M extensionJORDAN BRAND
Raptors F Kawhi Leonard has been a Jordan Brand endorser since being drafted in '11, but the Nike subsidiary is "going to let Leonard walk when his contract expires later this year," according to sources cited by Nick DePaula of ESPN.com. Talks "stalled earlier this year after Leonard turned down" a four-year, $22M extension. That will make him the "most accomplished player in a sneaker free-agency market that will include multiple All-NBA talents." Most expiring sneaker deals are "structured to run through Sept. 30, with players often allowed to take meetings with outside companies on a new deal up to 60 days in advance -- which means this year's class could be meeting with sneaker companies as early as next week." While this class "doesn't include a can't-miss future star who'll warrant a signature shoe," the crop "does offer a mix of players with All-Star talent, social media savvy, off-court style and major-market visibility." Leonard represents "something of an enigma for sneaker companies." Sources said that most brands "aren't worried about his return" from injury, but there is "cause for concern about his prior lack of interest in endorsement deals and commercials, and his reluctance to play in flashy sneakers that can help draw attention to a brand's new launches." 76ers C Joel Embiid's deal with Adidas is expiring, and he "prefers a no-frills, secure mid-cut model," so a potential deal is "much more about the visibility and energy that a brand could generate through his collective mastery of both Twitter and Instagram." T'Wolves F Andrew Wiggins' Adidas deal is also expiring, but sources said that there are "some hesitations about his potential as a brand endorser." Celtics F Gordon Hayward's Nike deal is expiring, and one brand with "strong interest" is New Balance, while Chinese brand Anta "could also emerge" (ESPN.com, 7/24). The last player to endorse New Balance was former NBAer Matt Bonner in the '15-16 season. ESPN's Jackie MacMullan noted New Balance is the title sponsor for the Celtics' new practice center "so there's a connection here." She also said Hayward has a "really big, visible presence in Boston" ("The Jump," ESPN, 7/24).
BRAND EQUITY: FOOTWEAR NEWS' Zack Schlemmer noted the Hawks are expected to waive F Carmelo Anthony and he will reportedly sign with the Rockets, which means the Rockets "will now have two longtime signature athletes" for Jordan Brand on their roster in Anthony and G Chris Paul. Although Anthony had "no new signature model for last season, his line includes 13 shoes." In lieu of a "14th performance model, most recently, the brand has been paying homage to his early days in the league by bringing back shoes he wore" in the early '00s. Paul is "catching up to Anthony in regard to signature models." He is "now on his 11th shoe with the brand, the CP3.XI, which debuted in April" (FOOTWEARNEWS.com, 7/24).
