Kevin Durant Under Armour Deal Is Reportedly $ 265 Million But Nike Can Try To Match? 'Nobody Hates KD!' Can He Outsell LeBron James’ Sneakers?

Kevin Durant is now the top shoe free agent and he can cash in from Maryland-based upstart shoe company Under Armour. There's no salary cap or contract length limits in this conversation and the numbers are staggering.

According to reports, Durant will get more than the maximum salary that is due him when he's playing basketball.

ESPN reported:

"Kevin Durant's representation, Roc Nation Sports, informed Nike on Wednesday that he has a deal on the table with Under Armour worth between $265 million and $285 million over 10 years, sources told ESPN.com.

The deal includes Under Armour stock and other incentives such a community center built in his mother's name whose exact worth will not be known for some time."

But Kevin Durant's current sponsor, Nike, is not about to quietly fade into the night. According to the same ESPN report, Nike has developed a market in Oklahoma City that's close to $175 million this past season alone. Durant's contract with Nike states that they can match whatever offer Durant receives, and if they do that, he will be legally obliged to Nike.

It's not a long shot for the giant shoe company, as ESPN states:

"Nike's last offer, sources said, would have given Durant a base and a minimum royalty guarantee that would equal no less than $20 million a year."

Under Armour used to be under the radar, but one of their recent coups was signing Stephen Curry. While Nike continues to corral all the athletic players with strong media presence, Under Armour went for up and comers (possibly because they can't win the bidding war) who are building their own fan bases like Curry.

With their continued success in basketball and other sports, they decided to go all in. This is their most auspicious move yet as Kevin Durant is the reigning MVP. He's also a player whom "nobody hates" as compared to LeBron James and his polarizing presence.

If KD becomes the face of Under Armour, could he outsell Nike featuring LeBron?

Tags
Kevin Durant: Under Armour
NIKE
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