Kyrie Irving, the former Nets star and current Dallas Mavericks guard, has made a comeback in the shoe industry following his split with Nike. The Chinese sportswear brand ANTA announced that they have signed a five-year endorsement deal with Irving, making him the Chief Creative Officer of the company. This partnership will not only allow Irving to recruit and sign players and collaborators but also bring manufacturing opportunities to the United States.
In a statement, Irving expressed his excitement about the collaboration and emphasized the importance of sharing the same dreams, goals, and missions. He praised ANTA for their rapid development, creativity, family-oriented approach, teamwork, as well as their expertise in product innovation and manufacturing processes. Irving believes that these qualities make ANTA a remarkable brand, and he is eager to work with his A11Even team in creating something truly special for future generations.
As part of the deal, ANTA and Irving will launch ANTA x KYRIE Youth Basketball Camps worldwide, with China and the United States being the first countries to host these events. Fans can also expect the release of Irving’s first signature shoe with ANTA in the first quarter of 2024.
Irving, who had been with Nike since his rookie season in 2011, parted ways with the company after he shared a link to a film that contained anti-Semitic tropes. This led to an eight-game suspension by the Nets and Nike initially suspending their relationship with him before officially dropping him a month later. Nike stated that they condemn hate speech and anti-Semitism, leading to their decision to end their association with Irving.
ANTa’s partnership with Irving goes beyond just a shoe deal. The company aims to support individuals dedicated to the game of basketball through various initiatives. They plan to shape and introduce new vision, innovation, and creativity in the sportswear category with Irving’s collaboration.
ANTA already boasts over a dozen NBA players wearing their shoes, including Klay Thompson of the Warriors, according to Kix Stats. In addition to the ANTA deal, Irving recently signed a three-year contract with the Mavericks worth $126 million during NBA free agency. He showcased his skills on the court, averaging 27 points, six assists, and five rebounds in 20 games following his trade from Brooklyn.
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