Anta reportedly offered more than the $75M Williamson is getting from Jordan BrandNBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The “most legitimate offer” Pelicans F Zion Williamson received before signing with Jordan Brand was from Anta, as the Chinese brand was "basically willing to give him the keys to their entire organization," according to The Action Network's Darren Rovell. The deal Anta was offering also "was for more money” than the reported $75M Williamson will get from Nike/Jordan. However, Williamson ultimately felt Jordan Brand "was right," as he is a Jordan fan. Rovell: "Going with a Chinese brand, for a rookie, not like someone at the end of their career, is not necessarily seen as a positive.” Adidas did not feel “like they had money to spend on his ridiculous deal (and) Under Armour is looking to undo deals because they just don’t have the money, so those guys were pretty much out" ("The Dan Patrick Show," 7/24). Forbes on Tuesday reported the Williamson-Jordan Brand deal was for seven years. However, ESPN.com's Adrian Wojnarowski cited sources as saying that the deal "extends five years," which makes it the "richest annual rookie shoe deal in NBA history." Sources added that before Williamson committed to Jordan Brand, several shoe competitors "made offers on total deals that extended well into the nine-figure range" (ESPN.com, 7/24).
KICK TALK: In N.Y., Ethan Sears wrote the fact that Williamson rejected such deals is a "testament to the power the [Jordan] brand still holds, even as companies such as Under Armour have made inroads in recent years." It is also a "testament to the sway Williamson already holds as a marketer" (N.Y. POST, 7/25). ESPN's Pablo Torre said Jordan Brand “needs Zion Williamson, it looks like, probably more than Zion needs them.” ESPN’s Bomani Jones said he could "see a scenario" where turning down more money from rival sneaker companies is better in order to sign with an “established brand.” Jones: “Much has been made of the fact that Jordan Brand has had difficulty connecting with whatever you call the generation that Zion is a member of. So, for them, this is a big score" ("High Noon," ESPN, 7/24). The Undefeated's Aaron Dodson said Jordan Brand is “really trying to revitalize their roster of players,” and Williamson, “who has so much potential, is going to add a lot to the Jordan Brand" ("OTL," ESPN, 7/24). ESPN’s David Jacoby: “If Zion is successful with this brand, he will be the first Jordan athlete to be successful with this brand who’s not Michael Jordan.” Jacoby said he did not think Williamson’s shoe "will be as successful with the Jumpman logo as it would be with the Nike swoosh on it” (“Jalen & Jacoby,” ESPN2, 7/24).
