The NBA is one of the most followed basketball franchises in the world. With millions of followers tuning in to each season, you know it’ll always be interesting. But beyond the actual play, many watch and keep up with the players, their deals, fits, and more. Because of this popularity, many other industries benefit, mainly the sneaker industry. That’s why footwear brands would do anything to be in the spotlight. Now, though Nike is still dominating the courts, there will be a new presence on the hardwood floor! All that is thanks to the new ANTA Kyrie Irving deal. So let’s see what this is all about, shall we?
Kyrie Irving – Controversy Sells?
Okay so, there are three things that help sneakers sell: Hype, Money, and Controversy. These three usually come hand in hand though. But when it comes to athlete signature kicks, what matters is the player himself. That’s probably why Kyrie’s Nike sneakers are still player favorites in 2023 although the deal ended in 2022. But we gotta give credit to the sneakers because they’re pretty decent performance kicks. In fact, they’re equally good for professionals and amateurs!
Mind you, Kyrie Irving has always been an eccentric person, but an excellent dribbler and dynamic player. So, nobody really had a problem with him as long as he wasn’t hurting anybody, right? But that all went to flames when Kyrie promoted a movie with antisemitic tones. And that came right after Kanye’s own controversy. So you can imagine how everyone was still a bit sore after what went down. That eventually led to Kyrie sitting out some of his NBA matches and a Nike suspension. Sad, but it is what it is.
ANTA Kyrie Irving – The Wind of Change
Kyrie took to Twitter on July 12, 2023, and announced that he signed a deal with Chinese brand ANTA. However, the deal won’t be an endorsement only! Kyrie will take up the role of Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of the ANTA basketball division. So, in addition to having his own signature line, he’ll be able to recruit more athletes and push the division further. Mind you, the ANTA basketball roster already includes the following players:
- Klay Thompson
- Kevin Garnett
- Gordon Hayward
- Rajon Rondo
- Alex Caruso
- Terrance Mann
- Kevon Looney
- James Wiseman
Now, this upcoming deal is gonna be lucrative on multiple levels. You see, ANTA will expand its reach in the USA with a big athlete like Kyrie Irving under its wing. And since he will wear the ANTA Shock Wave 5 during the 2023-24 season, we can expect this silhouette’s sales to grow with that kind of exposure. Let’s not forget about the ANTA Kyrie Irving signature shoe that we’ll get in 2024! If the kicks offer good performance and decent looks, you bet that they’ll be a hit.
Until we have further news about the ANTA Kyrie Irving partnership, why not keep up with the latest in the industry? Our blog will make sure you stay on top of your style and technical games! Godspeed.
