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Joel Embiid and Under Armor have signed the richest shoe deal for a great NBA man.
Joel Embiid and Under Armor have reached an agreement on a five-year-old shoe that will be the richest year for a major NBA man, according to ESPN's Nick DePaula.
Previously, Embiid represented Adidas, which did not manufacture brand shoes for the Philadelphia 76ers center. The brand had 10 days to match the offer of Under Armor, but declined the next day.
During the 76ers' recent trip to China, Embiid was asked about the prospect of signing an endorsement contract including the signature.
"Brand shoes?" Said Embiid, according to a report released Monday by Tim McMahon of ESPN. "We may be able to do it at some point, and that fascinates me. I'm excited.
"Many people, you know, still have this notion [that] big men can not sell shoes. And when I look at myself … I can dribble, I can pass the ball, I can shoot. I can talk about it. I can be a playmaker. I am more than a big man. So when it comes to designer shoes, I'm excited to break that. "
Before accepting Under Armor, Embiid was also sued by Puma, New Balance and Chinese brands, according to McMahon.
How Joel Embiid helps Under Armor
The signature enhances the profile of Under Armor. The 76ers will immediately be their second star among the NBA players, behind the double MVP Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
The sportswear and equipment company has also made deals with Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Mavericks goalkeeper, Atlanta Hawks wing, Kent Bazemore, San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills, and Emmanuel Mudiay, goaltender New York Knicks, not the most sumptuous beyond Embiid and Curry.
Embiid formed its first all-star team in 2017-18, setting career highs of 22.9 points, 11 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, or 1.8 blocks. With rookie Ben Simmons, he led the 76ers to a season of 52 wins – they had won 56 games in three combined seasons – and to the first playoff franchise since 2012.
"Joel is young and he is very provocative," said ESPN Kris Stone, principal director of global sports marketing for basketball at Under Armor, after the announcement of the deal. "He has this rebellious and charismatic spirit. It's a bit like Ali, in terms of bravado and self-confidence. "
Joel Embiid wants to market his products in China
"With my next shoe deal, I think China will be a destination for all summers, just to come and be with the fans," Embiid told ESPN before the announcement. "It's what I love. It's my nature."
His reason: the passion of Chinese basketball fans.
"The love I've had is something I've never seen before," said Embiid. "Like, it's way bigger than what I see in Philadelphia, and Philly fans may be angry at me for that, but it's just the truth." Chinese fans are just passionate about game. The love that they have is just crazy. "
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