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Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) showcased his exceptional skills on the court last season, average an impressive 27.1 points per game. This photograph captures him in action. (Photo credit: David Swanson/EPA-EFE)
July 12 (UPI) — In a significant move, Kyrie Irving, the well-known guard for the Dallas Mavericks, has joined forces with Chinese sports brand ANTA for an exclusive signature product line. The partnership comes seven months after Irving ended his longstanding collaboration with Nike.
Expressing his enthusiasm about this new venture, Irving stated, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this collaboration. Sharing the same dreams, goals, and missions is the first step towards building a successful partnership.”
Under this partnership, Irving has taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer for ANTA Basketball. He will actively recruit basketball players, independent brands, influential figures in pop culture, artists, musicians, pioneers in environmentalism, trailblazers in humanitarianism, and designers, aiming to collaborate with them and develop additional product lines under his signature brand, ANTA.
The ANTA product line by Kyrie Irving will be available across the globe. The launch is scheduled for 2024, with the release of his first ANTA on-court signature shoes and other footwear.
Last season, Irving, an eight-time All-Star, showcased his exceptional skills by averaging 27.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. He began the season with the Brooklyn Nets and later joined the Mavericks in February following a trade.
Irving, a three-time All-NBA selection and NBA Finals champion in 2016, had originally signed a deal with Nike after being chosen as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Nike introduced Irving’s first signature shoe in 2014. However, the collaboration ended in December when Irving shared a link on Twitter to a film containing anti-Semitic sentiments. Initially, Irving did not apologize, leading Nike to suspend their association, stating their condemnation of hate speech and anti-Semitism. The parting of ways was eventually confirmed in January, with Irving later issuing an apology and denying any anti-Semitic beliefs.
As part of their collaboration, ANTA also intends to launch “ANTA x KYRIE” youth basketball training camps in both China and the United States.
ANTA, founded in Xiamen in 1991, is a renowned Chinese sports brand with NBA players such as Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, and Kevon Looney serving as its ambassadors.
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