Russell Westbrook is the unquestioned face of Jordan Brand, leading Michael Jordan’s global brand into the next phase of dominance.
Westbrook, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, just signed a 10-year extension with Nike’s Jordan Brand. It will be the most lucrative total endorsement deal for a Jordan athlete in history, according to Nick DePaula.
Westbrook initally signed a five-year endorsement deal in 2013, and is now the face of the brand.
The new shoe deal extension, negotiated by the Wasserman agency and Westbrook’s longtime agent, Thad Foucher, is in advance of the initial deal’s expiration next fall. The increased pay rate will also retroactively apply towards his 2016-17 MVP season, according to sources. He wore Nike sneakers during his first four years in the NBA, before the company aligned him with Jordan, in order to have a dual-brand presence alongside Nike signature athlete and then-teammate Kevin Durant.According to reports, Westbrook will finally get his own signature shoe, which will be “unlike anything that Jordan Brand has done before.”
This past season, the 6-foot-3 star not only led a retooled OKC roster to the postseason after Durant’s departure, but did so while averaging a triple double — 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists — a first in the NBA since Oscar Robertson’s feat in 1962.
Jordan Brand will also immediatley start contributing annually to Westbrook’s "Why Not?" Foundation in OKC.
Cool wrinkle in Westbrook-Jordan deal per @NickDePaula: @Jumpman23 will contribute annually to Westbrook's Why Not? Foundation in OKC: pic.twitter.com/cD59f0WnQ8— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) September 13, 2017
We see you Brodie!
