The sneaker industry became what it is today because of hype. But the original reason sneakers existed for is sports, and will always be for sports. So today, we’re gonna go back to the roots with some of the coolest Nike athletes! From basketball to golf, Nike made sure they infiltrated every popular sport. Moreover, they certainly knew which athletes to go for, especially when it comes to making statements and touching stories.
Nike Athletes – Go Big or Go Home!
Before we get into the endorsements we chose, we have some honorable mentions. First off, when we talk about Nike athletes, we have influential people in mind. And who’s more influential than Michael Jordan and his legacy? However, we didn’t include him in today’s list because Jordan Brand became its own brand with its own signature athletes. Next up, we have the Black Mamba Kobe Bryant. That partnership continued even after his passing and then ended. Now the Kobes are potentially making comeback, so we’ll see!
Last but not least, Paul Rodriguez and Nike SB. The man is one of the OG athletes who carried the division during its inception in the early 2000s. We’re not gonna mention him because he is one of the pillars of the division, aka more than just a signature athlete. And now that we got that out of the way, let’s take a look at the Nike athletes that we chose!
Basketball Athletes
LeBron James
Signing Year: 2003
Deal Value: >$1 Billion
Sabrina Ionescu
Signing Year: 2020
Deal Value: N/A
Football (Soccer) Nike Athletes
Cristiano Ronaldo
Signing Year: 2016
Deal Value: $1 Billion
Megan Rapinoe
Signing Year: 2021
Deal Value: N/A
Tennis
Rafael Nadal
Signing Year: 1999
Deal Value: >$10 million/year
Serena Williams
Signing Year: 2003
Deal Value: $60 million
Golf
Tiger Woods
Signing Year: 1996
Deal Value: $200 million
Beyond Nike Athletes
Although the Swoosh focuses on the athletic side of things, it also focuses on pop culture. After all, you can’t be the #1 brand if you’re not relevant. For example, we got music and sneakers giving us unforgettable releases. And because being present in the present isn’t enough, Nike is investing in the future. How? Well, all you have to do is take a look at .Swoosh to see the brand take a step into the metaverse!
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