Kevin Durant Stays With Nike! Sneaker And Apparel Giant Keeps KD With Alleged $ 300 Million Counter-Offer! Will He Also Stay In Oklahoma City?

Kevin Durant was on the verge of jumping ship to upstart shoe company Under Armour. They dangled a humongous contract for the Thunder's franchise player but Nike had the option to counter it and keep Durant.

Durant had the gift of great timing with him. He won the Most Valuable Player award right when his contract with Nike expired. His market value definitely got a boost.

Both Under Armour and Nike are aware of this. While the contract is definitely huge, Nike eventually realized that letting the MVP walk away would have long term implications on their market-dominating brand.

ESPN reports that Nike has decided to counter the offer-a privilege they have as stated in the contract:

"Nike has countered Under Armour's offer of between $265 million and $285 million and believes it will keep Kevin Durant for the next 10 years, sources told ESPN. Nike, whose seven-year deal that guaranteed Durant $60 million is expiring, made an initial offer of about $20 million a year that was far from what Durant was looking for. Under Armour's huge play for Durant had many believing that Nike would even let him go at that price.

The overall value of Durant's deal with Nike could hit $300 million or more if his business continues to rise. That number is flexible as he will get a royalty on all sales in his line.

But on Saturday, Nike officials told Durant and his team at Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports that it would indeed step up enough to allow the world's largest shoe and apparel company to keep him in its robust stable of basketball endorsers that includes LeBron James and Kobe Bryant."

While the exact Nike offer for Durant isn't known, sources told ESPN that Durant should make more -- in base and royalties -- than the Thunder will pay him over the next two seasons ($41.2 million). That's why fans in Oklahoma City were nervous about a possible move to Under Armour, which could have steered him more to returning to his local roots to play for the Washington Wizards when he becomes a free agent after the 2015-16 season."

While the relation between Durant's shoe brand and his NBA team is only speculation, Oklahoma somehow heaves a sigh of relief. Under Armour's ties with the Maryland area is strong and they could definitely influence Durant's decision.

Under Armour's highest profile endorsers in basketball is still Stephen Curry. They failed to pry away Blake Griffin from Jordan Brand in the past.

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Kevin Durant
NIKE
Under Armour
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