Adidas has taken Houston Rockets forward James Harden away from Nike with a $13-year, $200 million offer.
Harden’s agent, Rob Pelinka, who negotiated the deal, confirmed on Thursday that Nike informed him that they would not match the term sheet from Adidas. The deal with Harden, which will have him wearing Adidas shoes on the court and gear in social settings, will officially begin on Oct. 1.
As of now, Harden will average $16.78 million on his final three years of his deal with the Rockets and $15.38 million annually from Adidas, but if Harden hits benchmarks, it’s possible he will earn more annually from Adidas than the Rockets.
Aside from a signature shoe, a Harden apparel line is expected as well as branded marketing commitments. Harden and Adidas are also expected to attempt to disrupt the shoe marketplace amid less than spectacular successes for the brand.
Harden, now with the most recognizable beard in sports, has the off-the-court swagger that none of Adidas’ other basketball spokesmen have, and his off the court presence could get maximum exposure as he just started dating Khloe Kardashian. There’s also an Adidas connection in that family, as Kanye West, who’s married to Kim Kardashian, left Nike for Adidas last year to make his Yeezys.
