When LeBron James snubs Reebok’s $158M deal to buy Nike legacy

LeBron James was already a superstar before entering the NBA. The three giants, Nike, Adidas and Reebok, are all vying for him. Adidas made a lower offer, proposing $70 million over 10 years to a man who wasn’t even old enough to drink.

However, Nike made a proposal to invest an estimated $90 million over seven years. But the most substantial offer came from Reebok, which offered LeBron James a whopping $110 million over ten years and $10 million upfront. The problem is, this is a time bomb contract, and Reebok’s move is to limit James’ communication with other competitors.

However, James chose Nike, trusting them to provide him with superior promotion and shoe design. He was a man who idolized Michael Jordan and, even then, prioritized his legacy over immediate money-making deals.

Most importantly, it’s a $158 million gamble on his personal skills. If he doesn’t perform well in the NBA the following year, no amount of nifty Nike ads will save him. Today, he has become a valuable asset to the brand and has a lifetime contract with Nike that has earned him over $1 billion in revenue.

Also read: The rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will continue with a potential Al-Nassr matchup against Lionel Messi.Miami International Showdown

Nike prepares to release LeBron 21 for LeBron James’ 21st NBA season

Nike will launch the latest version of LeBron James’ legendary signature series, the LeBron 21 “Akoya”, on Thursday in preparation for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season. The cutting-edge shoe features pearlescent-themed Zoom cushioning and will be available on Nike.com, local stores and retail partners.

The LeBron 21 draws inspiration from LeBron’s daughter Zhuri, continuing the precedent of the LeBron 20 and unofficially dedicated to his eldest son Bronny. This 21st signature shoe takes the low-profile design of its predecessor and reimagines it with softer leather.

To honor the natural appeal of Akoya Pearls and reflect LeBron’s fatherly protective instincts, the brand launched a “Light Bone” shade that combines contrasting flecks of “Dark Russet” and “Campfire Orange.” These accentuate the refined detailing on the Swoosh silhouette and heel. The tongue is finished with a rich quilted texture that mimics the inner structure of a seashell, further integrating themes of fatherly love and protection into the first shoe.

Also read: When LeBron James refutes NFL legend Tom Brady’s claim that NBA proposes stricter athletic testing