Under Armour has been heavily recruiting Kevin Durant to join their brand and they’ve reportedly offered the Thunder star a 10-year deal worth somewhere between $265 million and $285 million along with equity in the company to make it happen.
Durant’s previous contract with Nike, a relationship which Nike has definitely benefited from, expired last month. However, Nike can choose to match Under Armour’s deal and Durant would have no recourse given the agreement that Durant made with Nike during his signing with the Swoosh back in 2007. Per ESPN’s Darren Rovell:
Nike, which saw its signature business related to the Oklahoma City Thunder forward grow to roughly $175 million at retail last season, will have the right to match, which is a condition of Durant’s current contract with the brand. Durant can still choose Nike if it doesn’t match but can’t legally choose Under Armour if Nike does.
Nike is rolling out Durant’s seventh signature sneaker with the brand right now and it’s hard to see Nike letting KD walk. Nike’s current signature basketball products are centered around Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant. With Kobe nearing the end of his career and LeBron at the height of his powers right now, Durant’s star is going to get even brighter as Kobe retires and LeBron hits his 30s. That fact alone makes Under Armour’s aggressive play a particularly smart one and it leaves Nike with a tough decision to make.
